Results 21 - 40 of 57
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Results from: Answers On or After: Thu 12/31/70 Author: Just Read Mark Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
21 | Is the Bible itself evil? | 2 Tim 3:16 | Just Read Mark | 134997 | ||
See God in your life? I wonder why you think that God is distant, while thinking that Satan is constantly throwing us curve-balls? Our human brokeness blinds us to God's actions in our midst. God is sustaining us even when we cannot see it. Pray that God would open your eyes to see His hand in your life. One way that God opens our eyes is through the Bible. By seeing how God has acted in scripture, we can recognize him in our own lives. |
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22 | Why is Eve only in the Bible one time? | Genesis | Just Read Mark | 122261 | ||
Here are a few mentions of Eve. There could be more.... Genesis 1:27 --- creation of first humans, although names are not given. The name "Eve" doesn't appear until 3:20. Genesis 2:22 --- creation of Eve from Adam's rib. Genesis 3 --- Whole chapter involves Adam and Eve (and the snake, and God). This is the Fall. Genesis 3:20 --- Eve's name. 2 Corinthians 11:3 --- talking about the tempter's craftiness, and using Eve and the snake as an example... 1 Timothy 2:13 --- extrapolating from Adam and Eve, to justify roles for men and women in the church. Yours, JRM. |
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23 | what is the silent era? | Bible general Archive 2 | Just Read Mark | 119462 | ||
400 Silent Years. I have heard the intertestimental period referred to as the Silent Years. There is a period of time between the last of the Old Testament prophets and the Gospels. There are, of course, many writings from this period... and God was certainly active with his people. But the canonical scriptures leave a gap between the prophecies and their fulfillment. JRM. |
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24 | What's Jesus example of borrowing money? | Matt 17:27 | Just Read Mark | 117055 | ||
Jesus doesn't seem to scramble around for money. People do seem to give him things. When I get into a tight spot financially (it is tax time after all), I follow Jesus' example and go fishing.... ---see the text from Matthew above : ) |
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25 | What is time to God and man? | 2 Pet 3:8 | Just Read Mark | 116860 | ||
This is a rich theme, which reminds me that I am a small creature, dependent on God for everything. I linked you to 2 Peter 3:8. This also refers back to Psalm 90 -- read the whole Psalm. It is a stunning meditation on our mortality and God's eternity. Psalm 39:5 Indeed, you have made my days as handbreadths, and my age is as nothing before You... There is also an interesting conversation between God and Job. With a series of beautiful questions, God points out the frailty of humanity. "Where is the way to the dwelling of light?.... Do you know it because you were born then, or because the number of your days is great?" (Job 38:19-21) The beginning of Hebrews really adds to this topic. Read, especially, 1:10-12. The whole idea of prophecy tells us something about time: that God can see His eternal plan, while all we see is our own little moment --- then God gives a glimpse of what the future will hold. I hope these thought help you. I've enjoyed reflecting on your question, and I look forward to learning from others. Thanks be to God. goodnight. |
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26 | women take men? | Is 4:1 | Just Read Mark | 111058 | ||
Here's the verse. Why were you wondering? All I did to find it was enter "women" and "man" in the search function to the right. Yours JRM |
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27 | When is it time to say no? | Matt 13:55 | Just Read Mark | 111022 | ||
Never capitalize "him"? Hi compudex. Is it Ray, on this forum, that takes capitalization as his special interest? The diversity in the practice of translators probably means it is not clear in the manuscripts. As I understand it, capitalization (and even punctuation) is a more modern aspect of texts. Some translations don't capitalize pronouns for Jesus, even outside of direct dialogue. For example, Matthew 13:10 NRSV Then the disciples came and asked him, "Why do you speak to them in parables?" American Standard Version And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? So, in this muddle, where does the "corruption of the Word" lie? Are "Him" and "His" ever warrented, or are the caps an anachronism? Yours, JRM. |
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28 | trials and tribulations | Bible general Archive 2 | Just Read Mark | 110919 | ||
Trials in the Bible. Hello dckraus. Emmaus is right, that the Bible is FULL of stories of struggle, and loss, and finding God in the midst of it. Lamentations is another book to look at: the sense of loss over the captivity of Israel. This was a political loss, but also a sense of being abandoned by God (or worse), and of being seperated from the Temple. Their whole view of reality was crashing around them. On another note, there are many texts that talk about being strengthened through hardship. "Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." -- Hebrews 12:11 See also 2 Corinthians 4:17. How wonderful that this faith of ours is not candy-coated. With God, we can look even the harshest realities in the face. yours, JRM. |
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29 | Do you know Him? | John 14:8 | Just Read Mark | 110915 | ||
Thanks, Ray, for linking these texts. Beautiful. Here are some of my reflections on these passages... Jesus, thankfully, is not a series of axioms we can type out. We must meet this living God in person. This also says something about how we introduce others to the Covenant God. The answer to Moses was all about relationship (God of Abraham, Isaac, etc..) Jesus' answer is also about relationship: "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still don't know me?..." Jesus is the perfect embodiment of the Father. But we, too, are to live incarnationally - with God within us. The promise of the Spirit follows closely (verse 26). Jesus shows us the Father... and, by our "doing greater works than these," we introduce others to Jesus. God depends on embodiment, where language fails. Let us be faithful to that call. Yours, JRM. |
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30 | v18-20 refers to church leaders? | Rom 1:18 | Just Read Mark | 108767 | ||
"For since the creation of the world ..." (v. 20) I think Paul is talking about all people. I don't think that he means people understood the specifics about God that we see in the Bible: but rather, that God's creation tells us general truths about Him (powerful, eternal, generous...). Based on this "book of nature," all cultures worshiped God, in some pale way --- seeing Divine power around them, and seeking moral standards. The idea, I think, is that this innate feeling in humanity prepares us to hear the gospel, and recognize it's Truth. Instead of pursuing the creator, people were satisfied with adoring the created things. The glorious hope of connection with God at the beginning (which echoes Eden) underscores the descent into depravity that follows. With the (recent) development of Atheism, people are unable to see a starry night and feel that "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament displays his handiwork." (Psalm 19) So the place of "obviousness" that Paul begins with seems less obvious to our culture today. "Professing to be wise, they became fools." (v.22) Still, I wish Paul didn't start from a place of "isn't it obvious!" and "There's no excuse!" For many of todays sincere seekers, it is not obvious. JRM. |
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31 | Gospels differ re Jesus and passover | Bible general Archive 2 | Just Read Mark | 108761 | ||
The synoptic gospels have many similarities in their portrayal of the passover meal. Institution of the "Last Supper" .... Jesus predicts Peter's denial (in all 4, but how many times will the rooster crow?) Matthew 26:17-30. Mark 14:12-21. Luke 22:7-13. John 13-17 ---- wow. Is this whole passage presented as during the "Last Supper"? Or did I miss a scene change somewhere. Those amazing prayer passages, I had always pictured happening on the Mount of Olives --- more intimate --- but here, teaching and praying flow seamlessly together. Around the Seder table. Now Kewerman -- Chapter 13 begins with the phrase, "Now before the Feast of the Passover...." Is this the phrase that troubles you as a contradiction? It goes on with "And supper being ended...." (verse 2) So, I think John does show them celebrating the passover together. It shows Jesus' thoughts before the Feast, and his discussion with the disciples after. I love the elements included in John's gospel --- the footwashing, for instance. I think it is important to read the gospels together, AND separately. By conflating each of their narratives, we sometimes miss the distinctive emphasis of each unique gospel. |
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32 | Matthew 19:24 is a puzzle for me ? | Matt 19:24 | Just Read Mark | 108750 | ||
Widow's Two Mites. Jesus told many stories that privilege the poor. This story is a great one -- where Jesus honours this poor woman’s contribution over the large contributions of the wealthy. See Mark 12:41-44. Interesting that Jesus did not say the wealth of the rich was bad --- but pointed out their attitude, and focused on the poor. I think the "prosperity gospel" is certainly a distortion of the self sacrifice I find in the New Testiment. A certain TV host made a display of generosity, giving gifts to African kids at Christmas. While these gifts are helpful, the giver certainly didn’t feel any cost. North Americans, in general, have an astonishing degree of privilege and wealth. Sometimes giving is merely tokenism and sentimental. Our economic systems have detrimental human costs, and environmental costs. How we use our resources - our stewardship - is an issue of justice, and we need to work a lot harder at it. This is certainly an area I struggle with --- how to live it out --- especially when my income fluctuates through the year.... and my work is considered a luxury product purchased by those with “disposable incomes”! So, some difficulty indeed. Another difficult (and freeing) thing Jesus said is Matthew 10:9-10, where Jesus sends out the twelve disciples to preach for the first time. Jesus tells them..."Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep." Peace. JRM. |
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33 | Christ, War, and Patriotism | Is 9:6 | Just Read Mark | 107367 | ||
Nation and Kingdom of God. I understand why the Forum can't get swamped in this kind of discussion. On the other hand, surely it is important for believers to discuss -- in a broader forum than our local church. I'd like to contribute some thoughts. It is interesting how the link between nation and God's Kingdom changes over the course of the Bible. It starts with individual families, then follows the growth of Abraham's descendents into nationhood. The prophets then declare the need for the nation to be faithful. I read Ezekiel this month. Fascinating: here is a prophet speaking to exiles, who have had their identity as a nation quashed. Furthermore, the Temple was desecrated. God, for a time understood as dwelling in the Temple, is seen dramatically as the limitless God of "wheels within wheels." There is still the dream of reinstating the Temple, which finds it's fullness in Revelation's City of God. The identity of "Nation" equalling "God's Chosen" is breaking down. We are, like Ezekiel's original listeners, people in Exile from our true home. Like Jesus, we are creating a counter-culture WITHIN the nations, all over the world, where we live. We should expect to be speaking against our nation, as a prophetic people, loyal to God's call. I believe there is a healthy civic participation -- which is really about loving your neighbour. It is important for churches to participate in the national scene. But identifying strongly with one's nation is problematic and troubling, leading to a distortion of the gospel and clouding of the message of another way. |
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34 | Christ and war | Is 9:6 | Just Read Mark | 107165 | ||
Pacifism and Just War. Hello proffitt79. Many Christians are pacifists. Look into how Mennonites deal with international relations, for instance. Check this out to see more: http://www.ploughshares.ca/ While their view is quite extreme (preferring to be killed than to kill) I always find them challenging and edifying when I here them speak. The larger stream in Christian thought is the "Just War" discourse. This includes a leaning to pacifism as well --- "we will not engage in warfare unless these conditions are met..." Pacifism is the default position. Warfare is an option that is taken with grate deliberation. Many Christians do not feel that the conditions for "Just War" were met in the case of Iraq. As for me, I am glad to see Saddam overthrown, but find the stated reasons for the war problematic (ie. supposed connection to 9/11, and weapons of mass destruction). The real problem is that debate is thwarted by blind patriotism (ie. "united we stand"). |
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35 | HOMOSEXUALITY IN THE BIBLE | Bible general Archive 2 | Just Read Mark | 107119 | ||
Rape. Hello chubby. You also mentioned rape. There are several horrific rapes in the Bible -- and it is also used as a metaphorical image by the prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel... But in terms of historical narrative, the one that sticks out in my mind is Amnon raping Tamar, his half sister. What is amazing about this passage is how it shows lust grow within him -- it goes from fantasy, to obsession, to plotting, to actual rape. It reveals human lust very clearly. The text even includes Tamar pleading with him, to change his mind. See the 13th chapter of 2 Samuel. Also, the book of Susanna is a good one to look at. Not everyone recognizes this book as part of the Biblical cannon, but I think everyone believes it is edifying to read. |
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36 | Who wrote Daniel? | Matt 24:15 | Just Read Mark | 106980 | ||
Belshazzar father??? Daniel 5:2 states that Belshazzar was the son of Nebuchadnezzar. The historical record, it seems, makes points to other conclusions: "The historicity of Belshazzar is no longer in doubt: he was the son of Nabonidus, the last of the neo-Babylonion monarchs. He was not, it is true, Nebuchadnezzar's son. The succession ran: Nabopolassar (626-605); Nebuchadnezzar (605-562); Amel-Marduk (562-559); Neriglissar (559-555); Nabonidus (556-539); Belshazzar." --- from the Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible. This is only one of the problems with the historical description of Daniel's times. The Babylonionians left a lot of records, so the series of Monarchs is not really in question. |
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37 | Forbidden fruit represents sex? | Gen 3:1 | Just Read Mark | 87969 | ||
Interpreting Nudity. Hi Reilly and Emmaus. I've been thinking about this from another angle. I agree with everything that has been said -- but I was left wondering "where did this sex idea come from?" There is the fact that God clothed Adam and Eve only after the fall. This could suggest, to some, that their naked innocence was sexually ignorant. In our sexualized culture, we cannot seem to interpret nudity as anything other than erotic -- and thus the clothing seems a critique of their nudity (sexuality of the fall.) Of course nudity has other symbolic meanings. To be naked -- husband, wife, with God -- is a sign of trust, honesty, complete sharing. With sin, we need to protect ourselves, set up limits --- clothe ourselves. The clothing is about barriers between Adam and Eve, and between them and God. The sexuality bit is also played up in paintings of the theme. Sometimes you have nudity as beautiful intimacy --- but other times the sexuality is played up in the temptation scene. Medieval paintings of "Death and the Maiden" -- with both sex (Eve) and Death (the snakelike tempter) -- certainly pack a punch. Thus the person that buys the painting gets to a) feel holy for having such a venerable Bible scene to admonish them; while b) enjoying the voluptuous curves of Eve on their wall. Don't get me wrong --- I think nudity can play a very positive roll in art --- and many of the Adam and Eve paintings are fabulous. But artworks show an INTERPRETATION of the Bible, and we need to return to the source. Sometimes looking at artwork reveals truths in the scriptures that we, or even our whole era, are blind to. Thanks be to God. Yours, JRM |
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38 | how to start reading the bible? | Bible general Archive 1 | Just Read Mark | 87778 | ||
Dear Rouel --- sometimes we initiate a thread, and it just goes crazy on tangents. As important as the discussions of hell and souls etc. may be, I would hate to be newly in the Word and be bombarded with all of that. Take courage. I think the advice of people that have responded to your actual question is good. There are different modes of reading the Bible, such as: -- intellectual study: figuring out the basic structure of the book, how the historical context works, etc. -- prayerful meditation. Allow God to use specific verses in your life. Write out a passage in a journal, so that you can mull it over longer. Too often, we read every day without actually holding a specific text long enough for it to penetrate to our core. I have been working my way through the entire Bible -- reading the whole thing in 3 years is my plan. I'm not following a "program," but I ballance O.T. and new --- and one book leads me to the next. (ie. the books of Kings mentions the prophet Isaiah, so I read Isaiah after finishing Kings.) Other times, I take one book and read it repeatedly. A short book like Philippians is amazing for this -- and the rewards are great. Other times, thematic study is wonderful. A concordance helps you to find shared words, and then chain-references help you to follow a theme. For example, to study God's covenants (ie. Noah, Abraham, Moses, David and Jesus) is SO rewarding. Blessings to you, as you dig in. JRM. |
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39 | Who in the bible served idols? | Bible general Archive 1 | Just Read Mark | 87750 | ||
Levite in Dan, and other tales of Idolatry. Hi there. Your question is indeed broad -- but an interesting one. EdB mentions the tribe of Dan. I think he is refering to an amazing story in the Book of Judges --- see chapters 17, 18. Here, a Levite priest, becomes the priest in a pagan shrine! It seems crazy, how easily the Levite gets sucked in --- he wanted community, a place to live, who knows.... but he turned his back on the Living God, to worship a molten idol. One of the key phrases in Judges is "all the people did what was right in their own eyes." This line ends the entire book (21:25), but it is also in the middle of this idolatry narrative. (17:6) If you look at the books of Kings, it is a "who's who" of idolatry. Each ruler is judged as to his faithfulness -- and a great many of the ruler lead their people astray. Looking at motives can be fruitful, too. I've been reading Jeremiah, the last few days. God's grief and anger about our faithlessness is very graphically portrayed. The Israelites "went after worthless things, and became worthless themselves" (Jer. 2:5). Check out the "slut" imagery of faithlessness in chapter 3. It is very shocking, but reveals the emotional engagement of our God -- the the "jealousy" that is justified. For a general look at idolatry, check out Psalm 115. I find this a powerful psalm. Idolatry can be a way of worshiping ourselves -- but the psalmist critiques worship of anything other than God. May we, like the psalmist, "bless the Lord from this time on and forevermore." |
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40 | Can one accept Christ but not the Bible? | Luke 24:27 | Just Read Mark | 86745 | ||
How to read the Word? Thanks, Radioman, for an excellent question. I look forward to reading other responses. In fact, I have been wishing to read a good book about this topic: not a "what is the Bible?" -- but a comparitive "Here are 4 attitudes to the Bible, and the fruit of each way within the life of the believer.." From the phrasing of your question, I suspect you already hold your answer firmly. I see myself having a few traits from the "dubious" side of your question ---- and yet I hold the Bible as my authority. I think a literalist interpretation is a narrow criteria for holding the Bible as authoritative -- God can give us metaphors as well as history. I also think knowing the context is important for interpretation. The finer points of interpretation can be a struggle -- wrestling with the text, with our fallen nature, listening for the Holy Spirit's guidance. There is much, however, that is quite clear. We can be very firm believers, grow in maturity and effectiveness, and still wrestle with the Bible. Wrestling is part of growing. Trust is part of growing as well, obviously. My relationship with the Bible is characterized by both. I have seen communities that believe like I do blossom, produce fruit of servanthood and accountability and deep prayer lives, worship deeply grounded in the Bible -- not sentimental, but rich. There is one area that makes me wonder about the effect of engaging the Bible daily as I do: these communities tend not to experience dramatic physical healings or the "signs and wonders" of the book of Acts. I certainly embrace these things as possible -- and relevant for the people of God today. I just haven't seen those specific gifts developed in the communities where I have been fed. Is this because these communities focus on other concerns (servanthood, justice, etc) or is there something inherent about reading the Bible literally that aids in miracles? The exception -- where I was fed in a way that expectantly prayed for the miraculous -- was a small group led by a man who had seen many miraculous things (with Jackie Pullinger, Hong Kong -- see her book "Chasing the Dragon"). And this man holds a more literalist view of the Bible than I do. To sum up: I think the Bible is crucial for every Christian. The Bible is the principle way we discern Truth from error, learn the character and will of God, and submit ourselves to God's plans. People who reject the Bible create a religion other than Christianity (see Spong's books, for instance, for the invention of new religions under the guise of Christianity.) There are, however, different ways of interpreting the Bible --- as any survey of the history of the Church will show you. These differences needn't be a source of fear: we are all Christians growing in the grace of our Lord. In fact, the differences within Christendom is a strength -- for the different streams within the faith develop depth in different areas of understanding God. May the grace of God surround us all. In Christ JRM |
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