Results 161 - 180 of 465
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: Parable Ordered by Verse |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
161 | Circumcision reduces HIV rates by half | Gen 17:11 | Parable | 181286 | ||
Hank, I was not espousing anything outside the biblical mandate. I was merely citing a recently discovered medical fact that witnesses to the rest of the world and provides an opportunity for christians to speak the truth in love. And, the people who did this research and who are risking their own health in order to minister to literally millions of suffering souls through the God-given gifts of medicine are demonstrating love in an historic way. I certainly wasn't attempting to validate God's plan, but rather just make a connection that shows how practical God's wisdom is. In another post, Doc emphasized obedience over pragmatism, to which I concur, yet I also recognize God's boundaries serve to protect us, a very pragmatic result. Finally, in another post you celebrate the topic getting back to the bible. I submit that while I wasn't citing chapter/verse, this topic could not be more relevant for the conscientious caring christians who participate in this forum. |
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162 | Circumcision reduces HIV rates by half | Gen 17:11 | Parable | 181305 | ||
Language is half the battle it seems. My undergraduate research was in physical geo-chemistry, my graduate research involved imaging near-atomic level reactions in layered materials via dynamic high resolution transmission electron microscopy, and my professional duties involve laboratory experimentation in materials science and engineering, instructing undergraduate interns in educational outreach, and developing nanoscience applications for focussed ion beam technologies. I am an active member of a men's group dedicated to understanding the radical truth of the gospel by studying notable figures from Christian history, and for the past two years, I have been leading a divorce recovery class at my church, which has been by far the most rewarding service work I have ever done. |
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163 | kill all the boys and take the virgins? | Num 31:17 | Parable | 175114 | ||
In this verse (and the next) Moses is speaking to his military officers after they returned from war with the Midianites. He was angry that they had not killed ALL the Midianites, but instead had brought back the boys, girls and women, along with all the other spoils of war. I have two questions: 1. how is Moses justified in ordering the murder of innocent male children and encouraging the officers to take the young virgin women for themselves? 2. in what capacity are the officers to "take" the young virgins "for themselves"? As wives, as mistresses, as concubines, what? |
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164 | why the distinction btw girls and boys? | Num 31:17 | Parable | 175143 | ||
Some verses in the bible are hard to accept because we don't understand them, while others are hard to accept precisely because we do. If I may put your response into my own words.... While justified in terms of past experience at the hands of the Midianites, the executions were pre-emptive self-defense in order to preserve the line that would later produce the Messiah. Do you concur? Also, you quote Walvoord as saying "The virgins were spared because they obviously had had no role in the Baal of Peor incident nor could they by themselves perpetuate the Midianite peoples." The young boys likely were also not responsible, and they too could not perpetuate the Midianite people BY THEMSELVES. Why is there a distiction between young virgin girls and young boys, who likely are virgins also, regarding their ability to procreate? Finally, its still not clear to me how the young virgin girls were to be "taken". Does the bible give details on this practice? |
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165 | why kill boys yet spare girls? | Num 31:17 | Parable | 175172 | ||
Your commment about progressive revelation is on point. As for justification from God, that too is on point, yet its not clear to me where God instructed Moses to kill male children, yet spare virgin females for the purpose of having them as slaves. Boys can just as easily be taken as slaves, no? I'm interested in the reason why boys were distinguished from girls in this instance. Was it because sexual congress with the girls and/or procreation with them was implied, but this could not be the case with boys? |
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166 | what purpose served by this distinction? | Num 31:17 | Parable | 175200 | ||
Respectfully, I don't see how v15 addresses the question of distinction. Perhaps my question can be reformulated....was what happened full and correct obedience to God? If yes, what is God trying to do by having the boys (who by definition are not of the age of responsibility) killed, while having the virgin females spared and given to the officers? What purpose is served by eliminating the boys that would not have also been served by eliminating the virgin females? And conversely, what purpose is served by sparing the virgin females that would not have also been served by sparing the boys? Peace, Parable |
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167 | why the distinction btw girls and boys? | Num 31:17 | Parable | 175214 | ||
Actually, this is the original. | ||||||
168 | what purpose served by this distinction? | Num 31:17 | Parable | 175215 | ||
Thanks, the link is good, except it fails to address the killing of the boys. | ||||||
169 | 2 Tim 3:16 | Num 31:17 | Parable | 175216 | ||
Thank you for sharing your opinions about the purpose of this scripture and the interesting commentaries along those lines. My only concern, though, with the ideas that 1) its none of our business, 2) we're not smart enough to understand or 3) we're not interested and just want to complain, comes in light of 2 Tim 3:16 "Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, for training in righteousness" If the purpose of this scripture is not to be explained in the terms I have put the question, and that is certainly possible, then what purpose does Numbers 31:17-18 serve, among those listed by Paul to Timothy? |
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170 | 2 Tim 3:16 | Num 31:17 | Parable | 175231 | ||
God's unwillingness to answer is not the point. My question relates to what the Word says about what was done in His name. While your commentaries are insightful, they are not scripture, which is what I am trying to understand. And, you suggest all the commentaries you provided answered my orginal question. I disagree. Here are the relevant excerpts, with my observations (in parens): Matthew Henry -- "The female children were spared, who, being brought up among the Israelites, would not tempt them to idolatry." (this explains why they were spared, but not why the boys were killed) Your paraphrase -- "John Gill comments on the women killed ...." (this explains why the women were killed, but does not address why the virgin females were spared nor why the boys were killed) Robert Jamieson, et al, -- "No order had been given for the slaughter of the women, and in ancient war they were commonly reserved for slaves." (this explains why the officer brought them back from war) "...the Midianitish women had forfeited all claims to mild or merciful treatment; and the sacred character, the avowed object of the war (Numbers 31:2-3), made their slaughter necessary without any special order." (this explains why the women were killed) "But why 'kill every male among the little ones'? It was designed to be a war of extermination, such as God Himself had ordered against the people of Canaan, whom the Midianites equalled in the enormity of their wickedness." (if a war of extermination, then killing the boys is consistent with that, but sparing the virgin females is not) Adam Clarke -- "The little ones were safely lodged; they were taken to heaven and saved from the evil to come." (so, killing the boys was essentially an act of mercy. if so, then this mercy was denied to the virgin females. why?) John Wesley -- "Every woman - Partly for punishment, because the guilt was general, and though some of them only did prostitute themselves to the Israelites, yet the rest made themselves accessary by their consent or approbation; and partly, for prevention of the like mischief from such an adulterous generation." (this explains the killing of the women, and perhaps the boys, but does not speak to why the virgin females were spared) Finally, while I appreciate your encouragement to explore this topic elsewhere and report my findings, to be honest it feels more like I am being dismissed, now that you have answered my question yet I have somehow not understood your meaning. My question remains best stated in two parts: 1. What purpose is served by eliminating the boys that would not have also been served by eliminating the virgin females? 2. Conversely, what purpose is served by sparing the virgin females that would not have also been served by sparing the boys? If anyone has any scriptural references that speak to the distinction between the boys and virgin females that I have articulated, please advise. Otherwise, it seems God's purpose with this distiction, if it is indeed real, is not to be revealed in His Word. |
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171 | 2 Tim 3:16 | Num 31:17 | Parable | 175241 | ||
In science and law, it is recognized that the evidence we consider often is shaped by the questions we ask. I am mindful that hermaneutics is not exempt from this. It is possible that the distinction I see is more about how I think and less about how God thinks. | ||||||
172 | scriptural evidence? | Num 31:17 | Parable | 175248 | ||
That's a good working hypothesis. What scriptural evidence might you suggest to support this idea? |
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173 | guiding principles? | Num 31:17 | Parable | 175251 | ||
So, are you suggesting this is an example of "situational ethics" based on "cultural relativity"? | ||||||
174 | guiding principles? | Num 31:17 | Parable | 175258 | ||
The content of your post is not consistent with the guidelines prescribed by the owners of this forum. | ||||||
175 | how to rightly divide the Word? | Num 31:17 | Parable | 175259 | ||
Regarding the expectation on boys that was not the same as for girls, you said "This was simply the cultural norm." This implies that cultural expectations influenced the decision to kill the boys and spare the girls. This implies that in a different culture, with different expectations, the outcome might be different. For example, if this were to occur in a society in which the girls would grow into women who feel empowered to act, they too might desire to exact revenge upon the Israelites and therefore would also be killed. Of course, this is speculation. However, if the expectation on the boys is the justification, then this is an example of pre-emptive self-defense, is it not? My point is that while cultural norms are always important to consider in attempting to understand what people do in the Name of God, how does one rightly divide the Word in order to distinguish actions in the context of cultural norms and those that transcend culture and are appropriate in every circumstance? |
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176 | But how am I disobeying them? | Deut 5:16 | Parable | 47663 | ||
By communicating privately with anyone over the computer, you are disobeying your father. Posting notes to a forum such as this one is probably ok with him, unless you engage in extended dialogues with just one person or you start to get personal. You said his instructions were "not to talk to "men" on here". There are good reasons your father gave you these instructions and even if you don't understand them, you must live up to his trust by obeying him in this. Believe me, his reasons are sound and if you disobey, you are putting yourself in danger. Absolutely DO NOT ever meet anyone you communicate with over the computer. There are thousands of sick men on the internet who are looking to deceive you into becoming vulnerable to them so they can hurt you. They might even pose as someone who needs you to bring them to Christ. You have done your part for this 19 year old person, let the Holy Spirit do His will in him. As it is, your have no idea that this person has been truthful, right? But God knows and He accepts your prayers for that person, but He does not want you to disobey your father nor for you to meet with this person. I know this from years of experience in this world where I have seen evil work its ways by lies and deception. This is one of those situations. I encourage you to tell your parents about what is going on. |
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177 | Maybe I should explain further... | Deut 5:16 | Parable | 47668 | ||
Think about it. The fact you have this question in your heart shows that something is not right. Trust that small voice inside you that tells you to LISTEN to your father. You don't need anyone to tell you how you are disobeying, you already know it but you want someone else to prove it to you. That voice you hear is the Holy Spirit trying to get your attention. That other voice, the one trying to get to disobey, is one you must not listen to. And yes, the scripture applies to you. You said "I want to bring him to Christ". Don't be fooled. The only one who can bring your friend to Christ is the Holy Spirit, not you. This is a dangerous time for you because you may fall into the sin of thinking you are able to do only what God can do. That was Adam and Eve's problem in the garden and all of us must remember that no matter how strong our faith or calling, WE are nothing. Give it to God, trust that His Will be done and honor your father with obedience to not just his words, but also his intention. |
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178 | Is it just I don't wantto know the truth | Deut 5:16 | Parable | 47737 | ||
Pain can be a message that something is wrong, and it makes us attend to healing or stop whatever we're doing that hurts us. Listen to it. I think, that out of enthusiasm for the Lord, you have taken on too much. This is a sign that perhaps your efforts are being driven by your will and not His will for you. Pain can also be a sign of progress. Your view of the world is expanding rapidly, not just from knowing Christ, but also from the natural process of growing up. That's why they call them "growing pains". You can be comforted by knowing that everything God has done, He has done for you. RELAX. Trust Him to keep you safe. He has given you your parents to this purpose. Rather than work to bring email friends to Christ, let your life show the light of Christ to your family and friends. There is a famous saying "Preach the Gospel everywhere you go, and if you must, speak." This means live so others can see Christ in you, this is much more compelling than you trying to save them. After they see Christ in your life, they will be interested to know more. At that time, wait for the Holy Spirit to guide your words. Luke 12:11-12 says "...do not worry about...what you will say, 12for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say." And yes, a 19 year old is a man, at least physically. I close with this thought "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed." -- Proverbs 15:22 |
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179 | i dont go to church | Deut 5:16 | Parable | 47739 | ||
then start with the counselor at your school. | ||||||
180 | God blessed me! | Deut 5:16 | Parable | 47834 | ||
Teengurl, This development should be a red warning flag to you. In the spirit of telling the truth in love, you are seeing only what you want to see and you are being played. So, you disobeyed your father again by continuing to communicate with this guy? You know that nothing good can come from this. God does not call us to disobey what you know is right in order to do His will. Let me explain. So, your friend is a rapid learner, he read a little from the Bible, now he's counseling you, and now you see the Bible in a whole different perspective? I don't think so. Liars adapt to fit the needs of their victims. Open your eyes to what is really happening, not what you want to happen. Talk to someone about what is going on. Even if what you say is true, most of the time, a little knowledge is more dangerous than none. Like when first semester physics students think they can wire a house for electricity becuase they can solve the equations for the circuit. Everyone has needs, but we depend on Christ to fulfill them, not some guy who knows what to say to get you to trust him. You best be careful, what a 19 year old man wants from a 13 year old girl is not Godly or in the interests of the 13 year old girl, who by the way, is disobedient, willfull, inexperienced in the ways of the world and playing with fire. If your perspective on the Bible has changed, does it by any chance now tell you that it is OK to meet with this guy? If so, then ask him if its OK for your father to go with you. If your friend is really what he says, he should be fine with that, in fact, he would want to meet him. But if he's hiding something, he'll talk you out of that idea. Do yourself a favor, stop using the computer until you tell all this to an experienced pastor. You have no excuse, they are listed in the phone book, so call one and tell him your story. If you are obedient to Christ, you will obey your father. Stop communicating with this guy, get off the computer and reach out to the people you know in person. |
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