Results 241 - 260 of 281
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
241 | 2 followups, masturbation and 1Cor7:2-5 | Bible general Archive 1 | Parable | 47614 | ||
Makarios, Thank you for responding in the spirit of speaking the truth in love. As I stated clearly in my posts, I am not attempting to justify masturbation nor encourage anyone to sexual sin. We agree the Bible speaks clearly with regard to sexual immorality. For those who have not read the entire thread, my posts question why the Bible does not address masturbation at all, let alone with the clarity given to fornication, adultery, incest, beastiality and homosexuality. Obviously, Makarios disagrees. I have acknowledged Paul's compromise for our weaknesses regarding continence, i.e. marriage itself and sexual activity therein. Yet also, I have acknowledged Jesus' explanation of the origin of sin, i.e. that our sinful actions spring from the content of our hearts and our obsessive thoughts are equivalent to our obsessive acts. This is consistent with the many verses Makarios has cited. I agree that masturbation is not irrelevant or problem-free; it can lead to pornography and acts which clearly are sinful. Also, it is quite possible for people to indulge themselves with masturbation in the same way they can with eating (gluttony), drinking(drunkeness), leisure (sloth) and work (neglect of other responsibilities). Yet, in the example from my own life, masturbation has been part of coping with the loss of opportunity for intimacy, perhaps as a compromise similar to Paul's compromise with marriage, to help preserve fidelity during a prolonged test of my marriage. Am I proud of masturbation? No. Am I ashamed? No. Am I falling to temptation and indulging in sin? I submit the Bible doesn't say, but I do know that over this difficult time, I have not fallen to the temptation of adultery; I have honored my committment to my wife and I praise God that he has helped me in this. (and no, I did not say God helped me to masturbate!) Finally, I admit the possibility that I have been seduced by the enemy to proudly commit a sin I don't recognize in order to avoid committing ones that I do. This is true for more than just masturbation. The answer to this is conviction by the Spirit. If I sin, I pray He will show me the truth of this and that He will do so for all who need this lesson, as all of us do. Parable |
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242 | What then, is the meaning of John 15:2? | John 15:2 | Parable | 47512 | ||
I've not heard this interpretation before, i.e. the barren branch is really a dead branch. To a vinedresser, there is cleary a difference between a dead branch and a barren one. If John meant "dead branch", why didn't he just say that? This is hard for me to accept because in this metaphor Christ is the vine, the source of life for all the branches. To suggest that it is possible for a branch in Him to die is contrary to the idea of "everlasting" or "eternal" life. It seems we would then be forced to suggest that those branches that died were never really "in Christ", as your examples may be interpreted, yet the verse clearly describes them as being "in Christ". Alternatively, if we accept that "barren" really means "barren" and not "dead", and "takes away" means just that, then we are confronted with the notion that we must bear fruit to remain in Christ. For confirmation of this, we could appeal to James 2:26 "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead", but I'm not sure this is appropriate. For James, deeds are in fact the fruit of faith, but he is talking about how we glorify God to others; faith alone is useless as even the demons have faith, v19. People are convinced by what they can see, faith in action. To me, John is speaking to theological issues, not the practicalities of daily living, so to take James remark to support this view of John seems like a stretch. However, the harmony of the Bible cannot be denied. To me, the best translation of "take away" is "lift up" and the best interpretation is that the vinedresser is working to bring the branch into fruition. I acknowledge this could just be wishful thinking on my part. Parable |
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243 | Was Bible time kept the same way as now | Genesis | Parable | 47470 | ||
In his book "Gift of Time: Time and the Kingdom of God", William T. McConnel explains that there are differences in the way people think about time and these views influence our relationship with God. To summarize: In the modern west, we think of time as a series of discreet events, a string of moments one following the other. This has consequences for us in our relationship with God, especially when we try to understand scripture. For us today, time is impersonal and "over before you know it". The past is either irrelevant or drags us down, the present is never where our attention is placed and the future is either to be feared or ours for the making. We cannot understand eternity because we cannot understand now. In the biblical eras, time is understood differently. Events are processes that endure, rather than discrete instances. The attention span is seasons and years, not sound bites, photo ops and microseconds. Events are seen as interconnected and there is meaning behind what happens because of those connections. Past,present and future are a natural progression. Eternity is seen from God's perspective, understood in terms of our insignificance and His glory. Parable |
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244 | How do we interpret scripture? | Gen 1:14 | Parable | 47341 | ||
I suspect the problem is with postings from jmscott2 and lovefountain3, on another branch of this thread. I have asked lockman if there was anything in my posts that are a problem. Perhaps we should wait until they reply. I will do my best to answer your question. I have enjoyed our dialogue. I know I can learn much from you, and I appreciate your willingness to consider my arguments. |
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245 | Is it wrong to use condoms? advise | Bible general Archive 1 | Parable | 47329 | ||
I can't help but notice the childlike trust that is revealed in the comment "maybe God wants you have them." Matt 18:3 ..."Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven." Parable |
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246 | How do we interpret scripture? | Gen 1:14 | Parable | 47307 | ||
Before I attempt a synopsis of Dr. Ross' method, in another note, I respectfully submit my basic concern: For me, the issue is this. We risk imposing "non-biblical" premises on Scripture by the very act of reading Scripture in any way, including a "straight-forward" way, depending on what that reading entails. To me, "straight-forward" sounds like a path WE decide, based on our limited view of the local landscape and distant horizon. Not only must we look down at our footing to avoid tripping, but also we must look up toward our destination, to correct our path and avoid getting hit on the head by low-hanging branches. We cannot do this alone, we need the counsel of others (Proverbs 15:22) and we need God to guide us over the rough terrain on our way to Him. For this, we must be open to His guidance. So, for me, I accept the fact that it is not possible to determine if a premise is non-biblical until I established what is biblical, i.e. contained expressly or derived from Scripture according to sound principles. But that understanding is exactly the goal of reading the Word, in a "straight-forward" way or otherwise. So, because I am confounded in myself, I am forced to abandon my own methods, no matter how dependable they seem. In other words, it is not possible to read Scripture in any way without necessarily imposing something from ourselves that may or may not be biblical. We take our chances no matter how we read it. I believe this is the point addressed by 1 Cor 2:6-14. In my opinion, we cannot know what it means to read Scripture in a "straight-forward" way, for that term embodies more than a few assumptions about us that may or may not be biblical. Yet, we must start somewhere. I believe we should begin by meekly submitting ourselves to God, then heed the wisdom and counsel of the most learned and Godly among us, then jump in with eyes and ears open wide. Parable p.s. I will retrieve Dr. Ross' book from a friend and see what I can do to outline his approach. |
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247 | How do we interpret scripture? | Gen 1:14 | Parable | 47290 | ||
A most excellent response! There is no doubt it is God's mercy and grace alone that reveal His truth to us through His Word. To illustrate the magnitude of this miracle, consider this: the Word has been delivered faithfully to us through the many people who served God with their lives devoted to Him. The Word was given through His prophets and apostles, recorded by His faithful servants, translated by competent linguists, interpreted by sincere cultural historians, scholars and theologians and applied by the faithful. Clearly, even with our best efforts, alone we could never have done it! |
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248 | Send in the Clones? | Bible general Archive 1 | Parable | 47219 | ||
Amen, Brother! Cloning may offer humanity many blessings as well, but perhaps only so long as we act according to the belief that life is sacred and sanctity comes from God, not us! |
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249 | Plants were created, and then stars? | Gen 1:14 | Parable | 47166 | ||
TOMN, Thanks for your kind words about my post. However, I disagree with you about Lionstrong's note. For the record, I agree with his basic premise that good scholarship does not mean bending the Bible. I think all of us agree that good scholarship only helps us to understand the Bible better. For example, if we don't understand the difference between salt in biblical times and the highly purified chemical sodium chloride we use today, Jesus' teaching about salt losing its flavor has no meaning for us. Sodium Chloride never loses its flavor and because it dissolves in water, is not useful for paving roads. However, the salt of old was not pure, containing many other ingredients that were not water soluble and had no taste. If the sodium chloride were leached out of that mixture, the remainder was thrown out. Accordingly, we must be able to consider what good scholarshlp says and what it means to our understanding of the Word. If scholarship is contrary to the fundamental principles God has clearly revealed throughout, then we must be skeptical. However, in those areas where our understanding of specific details is reasonably open to discussion, we must not be stiff-necked in our willingness to review well considered explanations, that if correct, can only add to our understanding of God's message to us. |
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250 | where do blacks come from? | Bible general Archive 1 | Parable | 47161 | ||
I am not a life scientist, but fortunately this is not necessary to understand the most recent scientific dialogue about "race". Hank is right that "it's never been proved...that one race is genetically superior to any other race." I believe the best reason for this is explained by Dr. Joseph L. Graves, a biologist, in his book "The Emperor's New Clothes: Biological Theories of Race at the Millenium". Dr. Graves' thesis is that there is no biological/genetic basis for race, i.e. a sub-species, in humans. This does not mean the social construct of race and its consequences are not real, but rather that arguments about race based on genetics are unfounded. This is because studies have shown that the human genome is remarkably homogeneous, much more so than any other higher organism. For example, there is more genetic diversity in one community of chimps than in the entire human species. This means that it is not possible to classify individuals or groups based on genetic content. To me, this is consistent with the biblical idea that God created man, distinct from other animals. Regarding physical differences, as Hank describes, characteristics and traits are a result of the many expressions of possibilities contained in the genetic code. All of us contain the potential to have the traits of any of us have, but each of us only expresses a small subset of the total possible. To me, these diverse possibilities are God's provision to us in order that we may not only survive in diverse environments, but also for us see is His Creative imagination expressed in US that we may come to love others without regard to external appearances. Parable |
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251 | Plants were created, and then stars? | Gen 1:14 | Parable | 47086 | ||
Dr. Ross is the founder of Reasons to Believe; the website is www.reasons.org The Genesis Question is a book, so I doubt the full text is available on-line. The website has lots of info, so go there for more. In the future, I'll try to post some of the many scientific insights found in the bible. To me, by demonstrating a clear understanding of creation, centuries before science "discovered" these things, those insights give skeptics something to think about. |
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252 | Plants were created, and then stars? | Gen 1:14 | Parable | 47084 | ||
Sharonrose, I once read that the first rule of consulting is that the problem is always with the people, not the equipment, policies, software, infrastructure or anything else the people use. In the case of the "science vs faith" conflict, the problem is with people. To address the needs of people, then, I recommend the following approach. Regarding faith, I believe the facts of our faith are best understood in light of the Godly principles they demonstrate. I think we agree that knowing all of "what" the Bible says and having it at your fingertips is no small task, but knowing the "how" and "why" of the Bible is much more feasible and fruitful; when we understand the lesson God wants us to know, we can better understand the details he uses to teach that lesson and we can apply those lessons in the circumstances of our lives. Of course, learning both the lesson and the facts happens together. Likewise for science, no one can know all of what science has to say. I've heard physicists talk about biology and biologists talk about astronomy and when they do, they reveal how even learned scholars can be like novices in another field. So, rather than learn the "what" of science, i.e. science facts, which are static, I suggest you learn the "how" of science, which is dynamic, so you can apply proper scientific method to any subject or line of reasoning you face. For me, I have to remind myself that sometimes, no matter what I say, people will continue to believe what they want, perhaps in order to justify what they want to do. As a friend of mine once said about those who raise objections to faith, "if you yank those objections out of the ground like a weed, what you find clinging to the roots is sin." So, what people need is to be convicted of their sin, rather than intellectually convinced that, without God, science is empty and dead. Indeed, conviction is the first step in understanding this; science can do nothing for the fundamental condition of human depravity. |
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253 | Plants were created, and then stars? | Gen 1:14 | Parable | 46953 | ||
We seem to know, without anyone telling us, right from wrong, real from imaginary and true from false. Yet how often we choose wrong, imaginary and false over right, real and true. The knowledge of good and evil is indeed dangerous if all you have is a fallen nature! I have come to a point in my life where the "line and rule", although useful for the world, is more like a shimmering mirage, and the truth of faith, although unmeasureable, is the oasis in the desert. |
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254 | Plants were created, and then stars? | Gen 1:14 | Parable | 46952 | ||
And that more scientists will come to faith! I specialize in chemistry, physics and materials science/engineering. Grace and Peace My Brother, Parable |
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255 | Plants were created, and then stars? | Gen 1:14 | Parable | 46923 | ||
I agree with you, Hank. There is an old saying, "the truth that needs to be proven is only half-true". To me, it means we trust "obvious" truths and we are always suspicious of those that need to be "proven", especially when the derivations depend on questionable assumptions and complicated reasoning. The idea that truth is relative comes from the idea that our standard of reference for comparison cannot be defined absolutely. In science, this most definitely true, because we have no way to determine that a location is absolutely fixed, so there is no way to establish a reference frame that is completely non-inertial, a fundamental requirement for absolute measurements. And, even if the speed of light may be the upper limit on velocity, it is not clear that this limit is fixed, especially in the vicinity of a black hole, because velocity refers to location and space itself becomes warped near black holes. Furthermore, the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle establishes limits on how precisely we can know position and momentum or energy and time for a given system. This implies that science itself has established that it is not possible to measure absolutely precise values for anything. In other words, it simply is not possible to eliminate uncertainty from any measurement. Your point about arithmetic is different and it is because arithmetic is counting and that seems to be one of those "obvious" truths we accept. Despite our other problems, we seem to be able to count things very well. In fact, all branches of mathematics can be related back to the simple act of counting, which is not the same as taking a measurement, and this is why we put such stock in mathematics. Of all the sciences, math is the only one where we say the answer is right or wrong, but even this is subject to the qualification that the fundamental axioms apply. The bottom line is, science explores the wonder and beauty of Creation, but it cannot speak directly to issues that are best addressed through faith. |
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256 | Plants were created, and then stars? | Gen 1:14 | Parable | 46906 | ||
This followup is not intended to address biblical matters, but rather explain my perspective on science in general in light of my faith in Christ. Science addresses our knowledge of the universe. As a human endeavor, science is subject to both the constraints and the liberties afforded by the human condition. Thus, the structure and meaning of science give insight to both the universe in general, and the human condition in particular. If this were not true, science would not have meaning for us as we strive to build a world view in which we make sense of what we experience and observe. In other words, science can help us to understand ourselves as part of the universe. And, perhaps more profoundly, because the human condition shapes how we practice science, the structure and content of science inherently imply something about the human condition that we cannot elucidate directly. So, in effect we get two jewels for the price of one, if we are able to see the human condition reflected in our knowledge system called science. Perhaps most importantly, in the limitations of science, we see the limitations of ourselves. Ultimately, according to the purely scientific approach, all observable phenomena are explainable in terms of fundamental physical processes alone. These phenomena include not only the processes of physics, chemistry and biology, but also the processes of psychology, sociology, history, religion and art, to name a few. Perhaps the most elegant accomplishment of science will be the understanding of consciousness, self-awareness, emotion, logic, mathematics, language, memory and imagination. I suspect these latter phenomena may be understood by induction from the human condition as reflected in science rather than through deduction from the data per se, yet this understanding is no less valid for being gained in this way. In science, the universe is not defined, but its properties are modeled in terms of four fundamental elements, i.e. matter, space, energy and time. The ultimate goal of science is to develop an understanding of how matter, space, time and energy can be explained in terms of each other, or as diverse manifestations of one ultimate fundamental reality, such that all observable phenomena can be understood, including the origin of the universe and its ultimate destiny. For example, a central question is how matter and energy can be equivalent, as inspired by the observation that matter can be converted entirely into energy, according to Einstein's famous equivalence, as in nuclear fission, for example. Another is how the force of gravity can be communicated between masses and how gravity is somehow equivalent to the other three fundamental forces, i.e. electromagnetism and the strong and weak nuclear forces. Yet another is how the entirety of the universe can be accounted for in an infinitely dense, dimensionless singularity at the start of space-time, as hypothesized in the cosmological theory of the Big Bang. Finally, given what we believe from science, what will happen at the end of time? The Big Crunch, the infinite expansion of the universe until it gets spread so thin as to be reduced to nothing, or some other possibility we have yet to imagine? To me, faith in Christ liberates us from the hopelessness and tyranny imposed by a purely scientific world view and nothing in science, when done properly, can ever contradict the Word of God. |
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257 | 2 followups, masturbation and 1Cor7:2-5 | Bible general Archive 1 | Parable | 46892 | ||
start of part 3 of 3 About my wife I said "...whom I love dearly". Worshipping and idolizing her are not loving, so the answer to your first question is "no, I don't worship and idolize my wife". For reasons not appropriate to discuss here, my wife and I have not been able to enjoy sexual intimacy for several years, surely a time longer than Paul means when he says "for a while". This has not been by mutual consent, as Paul suggests, but rather of necessity, and it has been difficult for both of us. Yet I have remained faithful, patient and loving. For me, thinking of my wife as my only sexual partner has helped me avoid the temptation to be with others. What makes this real is I have options if I wanted to pursue them. At least for now, occasional masturbation is how I maintain some semblance of sexual intimacy with my wife. Of course, its not a meaningful substitute for the real thing, but until such time as it is possible for us to do come together, it reinforces my desire for her to be my only partner. I acknowledge this is not ideal, but I do feel fidelity is what God is calling me to do and how I occassionally experience my passion for her is not sin and in fact helps keep me from sin. Perhaps this is an example of how "all things work for the good of those in Christ Jesus" -- Romans 8:28 You said: "Many men who I have known have fallen prey to the sin of masturbation, only to see their marriages falter and their sins multiplied into pornography.. Such disgusting consequences of a "seemingly" harmless or unnoticable sin are brought out into the open when the door to that sin has been crossed and, now, other sins, such as looking at other women besides your wife, now suddenly become much more desirable to you than before." I never said masturbation was "seemingly" harmless or unnoticeable, I said it was "unseemly". Regardless, I agree the problem you describe is real, but it has not been the case in my situation. You said: "Do you truly see no harm in it? Do you have no inclination or leading to give it up? Can you honestly say that you have experienced great spiritual growth while practicing masturbation? Masturbation is not wholesome, not edifying, not healthy to your marriage, and it is certainly not something that you want on your conscience as not being 'repented of' when you have to give an account of yourself to the Lord." I see the potential for harm, yet I believe in my case it has been part of preserving my marriage. You said: "But I have written here about how I honestly perceive the subject of masturbation, and I believe that it will prove very costly to your marriage if not discontinued, my friend and brother in Christ." This may be true, but to date, it has not become excessive or lead me astray, quite the opposite in fact. You said: "Just a few weeks ago, the youth pastor of our church got up in front of the entire congregation and confessed to his sin of masturbation, and we have begun an accountability group that consists of myself and several others, to keep this dear friend and brother in the Lord on 'the cutting edge' of his spiritual relationship with God. Also, his wife is very supportive of helping her husband deal with this problem, which is a great blessing!" I will pray for your youth pastor, his wife and your group. To be honest, I am disturbed by the idea you and your group think you can do anything to keep anyone on the "cutting edge" of a relationship with God. Yet, if masturbation has become a problem for your youth pastor, it is good for him to deal with it and if your group can help him, praise God! Finally, in all sincerity, I am wondering if the following 2 verses are part of what you teach in this group: Mark 9:43 "If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. 45And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. 47And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out... My interest lies in the possible mis-interpretion that a sexually immoral person should castrate or otherwise mutilate themselves in order to avoid sin if they can't seem to avoid it in any other way. And, Matthew 19:11 "Jesus replied, "Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. 12For some are eunuchs because they were born that way; others were made that way by men; and others have renounced marriage because of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it." which seems to suggest that continence is not intended for everyone, but only those "who can accept it". Grace and Peace. Your brother in Christ, Parable |
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258 | 2 followups, masturbation and 1Cor7:2-5 | Bible general Archive 1 | Parable | 46888 | ||
start of part 2 of 3 Next, I'd like to respond to certain of your comments and questions to me. You said: "I would still direct you to 1 Thess. 4:3-7." OK. Here it is, complete with the Bible Gateway footnote: "3It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4that each of you should learn to control his own body[1] in a way that is holy and honorable, 5not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; 6and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. 7For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life." Footnote [1] reads -- 4:4 "Or learn to live with his own wife; or learn to acquire a wife." This meaning for the word "body" implies the point is to keep sexual contact limited to one's spouse, i.e. to avoid adultery and fornication, as practiced by the heathen. You said: "Please read 1 Corinthians 6:12-20. Your body is not your own to do with as you please! You have been bought with a price." Here it is: 1Cor6:12-20 "12Everything is permissible for me"--but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me"--but I will not be mastered by anything. 13"Food for the stomach and the stomach for food"--but God will destroy them both. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. 15Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! 16Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, "The two will become one flesh." 17But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit. 18Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. 19Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." Verses 12 tells me that not everything is good for me and I should not be a slave to anything. I concur. In verse 15, mention of the prostitute seems to again emphasize that the nature of immorality most certainly includes joining flesh with others. Of course, Christ said such sin begins in our hearts, so depending on what is in the heart, masturbation may be to adultery/fornication what anger is to murder and what greed is to stealing. You said: "And also, to use 1 Cor. 7 to justify masturbation is a blatant attempt to misapply Scripture to justify a sinful act. Do you worship and idolize your wife in such a way that you misuse your own body parts for her glorification? Or is it simply the indulgment of sinful flesh?" As I said earlier, I'm not trying to encourage or justify masturbation, but rather understand what the Bible says and does not say about it as compared to what people say the Bible intends. end of part 2 of 3 |
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259 | 2 followups, masturbation and 1Cor7:2-5 | Bible general Archive 1 | Parable | 46885 | ||
Part 1, Makarios, You have supported your position well; your interpretation of the scriptures you cite is most righteous. And your points about the potential risks associated with masturbation are insightful and important. I feel your comments deserve my best effort, so I have tried to respond in a meaningful way. Thanks for your patience with the length of my response here. (and no, I did not write this in one sitting!) I hope you will be interested in what I have to say, especially about how masturbation has been part of something good in my life, see part 1 of 3. Regarding myself, I recognize there are many who are far wiser and far more mature in Christ than I am, so I am open to what you and others have said about masturbation. Indeed, much of what you describe about purity and holiness I see happening in myself, as the Holy Spirit does His miracle in me, so to answer one of your questions, I do have a desire to grow in purity and holiness, so masturbation is not big on my list for today. In that spirit, however, I must admit I am not convinced that what you have said about masturbation, i.e. that it is always sexual immorality and sin, necessarily follows from what you have presented. I'm not saying your interpretation is wrong or that what you say cannot be accepted, indeed you may be right, but rather that it is not the only interpretation that we, as vessels for the Holy Spirit, may hold. To support this, I note that in the following 18 instances (listed in The Complete Book of Bible Lists, by H.L. Wilmington), in which sexually impure people are identified, not one is described as impure by virtue of masturbation or anything like it: Gen19:5, Gen19:30-38, Gen34:1-2, Gen35:22, Gen38:9, Gen38:14-18, Num25:6-14, Judg16:1, 1Sam2:22, 2Sam11:4, 2Sam13:14, 2Sam16:22, Hos 1-2, John 4, John 8:1-11, Luke 7:36-39, 1Cor5:1, Rev2:20. Rather, the issues are homosexuality, incest, rape, adultery, refusal to father a child by the wife of a dead brother, fornication, sex in the tabernacle and in public, and leading others to sexual immorality. Please note: I'm NOT encouraging anyone to masturbate or do anything else they feels God calls them not to do. Given this, I am concerned that the zero tolerance approach, as applied to masturbation, 1. may be a stumbling block for those who might otherwise come to faith in Christ and 2. it is not helpful to those who may be dealing with masturbation as they learn to walk with Him. Indeed, I fear it may actually be harmful to those for whom guilt over this is excessive; in addition to God's truth, they need compassionate understanding in order to fully accept God's grace and forgiveness and to be open to the process of sanctification by the Holy Spirit. I'm not suggesting masturbation should be dismissed as irrelevant, for we agree there are serious problems that can develop, as is the case for eating and drinking. Rather, I'm suggesting that since the Bible does not expressly classify masturbation as sexual immorality or sin, we should help others to deal with it in a way that does not condemn them, as per Romans 8:1 "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death." We can be assured of this, despite our daily failures to live pure and holy lives after coming to Christ, and it is this truth that helps us to grow toward perfection in Him as we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us. As I see it, I am emphasizing that those who masturbate are not necessarily condemned, i.e. not necessarily among the sexually immoral because the Bible does not say this, while you have rightly addressed the freedom we have from the law of sin and death and this is how we become pure and holy. end of part 1 of 3 |
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260 | Plants were created, and then stars? | Gen 1:14 | Parable | 46876 | ||
As they say, "if you're not confused, you haven't been paying attention!" You have described the problem accurately. I will add to your point with my view of science in general in my next post to this thread. |
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