Results 41 - 60 of 568
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: MJH Ordered by Verse |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
41 | can I eat shellfish? | Bible general Archive 3 | MJH | 166098 | ||
Mark 7 is Jesus discussing washing hands before you eat. The Oral Law of the time said you had to do this or you would contaminate the food. Jesus disagrees with adding this burden that the Torah did not intend. When he mentions "food" he is speaking of "clean" food. Anything that was "unclean" would not have fit the category of "food." Deut 4:2 says "You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you." READ Deut 13. Jews memorize this book, and then we tell them to follow Jesus, and they should do this because he proved himself by miracles and signs (sound familiar?) and then we add, o' by the way, you don't need to follow that silly "OLD" law anymore. In light of Deut 13, Jesus would be a false prophet. As the Messiah, Jesus could not have sinned by even breaking the least of the commandments. What people suggest, however, is that not only did Jesus break the laws of eating "clean", but that he violated Deut 4:2 and said such law was no longer applicable, and he did this before his death. If so, he can't be the Messiah. I The NIV adds the words, "In saying this, Jesus declared all food clean." This is not in the text. To make the Greek makes sense, a translator has to re-word this in some way, which means they have to interpret what Jesus meant. Even if Jesus "declared all food clean", the word "foods" would apply only to "clean" foods in context. Jesus wouldn't have referred to something unclean as being "food." Remember his audience is Jewish and the topic is cleaning hands. All “clean” foods are “clean” and can not be made otherwise by unwashed hands. In all of this let’s not forget the larger principle that Jesus is teaching…it is what comes from the heart the truly matters and the Pharisees in this passage have some big problems there. For my response to the Acts passage, see my response in this thread entitled "The Acts 15 council..." MJH |
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42 | can I eat shellfish? | Bible general Archive 3 | MJH | 166099 | ||
Hey Doc, always a pleasure. Acts 15 mentions 4 things: 1) food sacrificed to idols; 2) blood; 3) strangled animals; 4) sexual immorality. 75 percent of these have to do with food. Yet most Christians do not follow the 75 percent (some don't follow the 25 percent unfortunately.) They say the Apostles put these in because of the idol worship practices of the day, so since that is no longer the case, we can ignore the 3 "laws" on food in Acts 15. Acts 15:21 "For Moses from ancient generations has in every city those who preach him, since he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath." This passage follows the 4 laws. It is saying that here are 4 things you ought to do, and Moses is taught in every town and you know where and when, so go and learn and study…after all, this was the whole Bible at the time. And don’t forget, there were many many other laws that they could have added but were not such as stealing, murder, love your neighbor, take care of widows and orphans…but they are not in the list. Only 3 food laws, and 1 sex law. Obviously they were not giving a complete list. Now, we know that Paul was an amazing “good” Pharisee with an unbelievable grasp of the Scriptures of his day. He spends a great deal of effort in Galatians discussing many of these issues. Even Paul in Acts 21-23 goes to great length to prove that he still followed the Mosaic law and never told Jews in the Diaspora not to follow the Mosaic law. For many friends of mine, they are shocked to read this. I hope that helps. I could go on and on and on… but you may not want me to. ;-) MJH |
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43 | can I eat shellfish? | Bible general Archive 3 | MJH | 166130 | ||
Dear Doc, I'll have to respond more in depth when I am not caring for my 8 month old, but to clarify some questions I have of your post. What is WWCG? I hope I do not interpret any doctrine in isolation. You are right that this would be wrong. My contention in the previous posts are to show that the two passages mentioned (Mark 7 and Peter's vision) are poor passages to use to make the point that the food laws have changed. Your passages are much much better choices. My personal believe is still that Gentile believers are not held to the dietary laws of Moses. I am uncertain about where I stand with Jews, but in recent days side with their following them. If ever I change my thinking on any doctrine or understanding of scripture, it is always a long and thoughtful process. I don't believe in flipping back and fourth everytime you hear a good argument on one side or the other. Sometimes on this forum I test some of the things I have been pondering in the back of my brain (I work and live a life that unfortunatly does not allow for me to progress as quickly as I wish with study.) In the future I will show where historically the church has held a contrary view on such matters several times and I will show how the Gentile believers in the first 200 years followed much of the Mosaic Law. I will also discuss the passage you list, but that is a big task. Galations of course is a whole book, but I've read it so many times I about have it to memory and my understanding has shifted some. Look forward to the time. MJH |
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44 | can I eat shellfish? | Bible general Archive 3 | MJH | 166142 | ||
No problem, I did lead one to believe that with my arguments, and when I reply in depth later, I will attempt to make that argument; however, I thought it only fair to let you know where I actually stand on the issue. That being said, I do eat according to the Biblical food laws (not Kosher which is MUCH more rules based) but I do not do so to earn any points. At some point I would like to write a one page paper on why I eat the way I do, and when I do I will certainly let you know. But do not confuse my eating habits and my arguments-to-come with my doctrinal stand. I wouldn't "teach" this in my church. So why make the argument? Because it helps me a lot and forces others to have a firmer understanding of why they believe what they believe. And this is a safe place to test things out. I was surpirsed when I first joined to find such knowledgable people here and am greatful for the opportunity this forum provides. God Bless, MJH |
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45 | concerningthe in-between writings of God | Bible general Archive 3 | MJH | 173936 | ||
Doc, The value of the pseudopygraphal works are primarily in helping us understand what some people in history were thinking. So some books written near the time of Paul's writting, might help us know what Paul was confronting. The same is true for Jesus and the early church fathers, etc... But you are right, to read it all is for most of us not the best way to use your study time. Maybe if you are a professor of that time period or a scholor like many I admire, but I certainly do not have the time to pour over every one of those books. MJH |
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46 | Most confusing book of Bible? | Bible general Archive 3 | MJH | 173957 | ||
Just out of curiosity . . . what book of the Bible is the most confusing to you? The book that makes you scratch your head in wonderment? MJH |
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47 | Emergent Church question | Bible general Archive 3 | MJH | 177170 | ||
Does anyone have an opinion on the so called, "Emergent Church?" I ask because I happen to attend a church that when I join was simply another church which happened to grow very fast, had a gifted teacher, etc... But nothing spectacular. Since then, over the past few years, the gifted teacher has become very well know, almost an icon in the so called "Emergent Church" movement, although he has never claimed that our church was an "Emergent Church." Needless to say (unfortunately) he has been attacked by several Pastors around the country. My stance among those I meet is that I am not responsible for defending my pastor or church against comments. I will talk and listen, but I am not ever going to get "defensive" and try to argue for a point. I will clarify and ask why they think what they think, but I won't get drawn into an argument. It has bothered me, however, to see that so far every critic I have read or heard has gone to the level of revering to my pastor as "Satan’s agent" or "a clear Heretic" etc... Not one critic I have read so far has refrained from using such vitriolic statements which I interpret as meaning they are so afraid that their critic isn't strong enough on content that they have to use stupid statements to try and reinforce their ideas. One pastor even stated that since my pastor's following was so large, he obviously was not of God and used the same argument to refute Rev. Billy Graham. I’d love to discuss this topic with some of you, since I have anonymity here, and I would like to know what gifted people like you all think. MJH |
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48 | A CERTAIN NASB BIBLE... | Bible general Archive 3 | MJH | 178398 | ||
Look at www.allbookstores.com Type your ISBN in the search and you will have a list of every store that has that specific Bible. The ISBN matches the book/bible exactly. Even a different color cover requires a new ISBN number, so you should end up with the right copy if you have the right ISBN number. Hope that helps. MJH |
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49 | Confused? | Bible general Archive 3 | MJH | 192273 | ||
Dear Confused believer, You are right to be confused by this teaching. You site some examples but there are many many more that contradict the idea that the Law of Moses was abolished. My favorite text to site for those who take of that belief is Acts 21 and on. Paul and James attempt to prove to the thousands of Jews in Jerusalem that accept Jesus as the Messiah that Paul is not only following the Torah (laws of Moses) himself, but never taught otherwise to the Jews in other cities. I have enjoyed the study material by FFOZ (First Fruits of Zion) quite a bit. They have a "Torah Club" which is Christian but could be very helpful IF you could find others in your area who are also in the Bible study. All this being said, there are very diverse understandings of Scripture among Christians. Most of them will be perfectly fine to become involved with. I, and others on this forum may have strong disagreements with certain doctrines and the such, but in the end we will all be eating at the Feast with the Messiah in the World to come. Don't allow these "arguments" about doctrine derail your faith. But keep learning and if you find you need to find others who are closer to you in their understanding of the Word of God, then make a change. MJH |
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50 | Confused? | Bible general Archive 3 | MJH | 192289 | ||
You said, "Subsequently, the laws of Moses which the scribes and the Pharisees insisted that people follow, was replaced by the teachings of Jesus" How can the teachings of Jesus replace the laws of Moses when the teachings of Jesus were the laws of Moses? MJH |
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51 | Confused? | Bible general Archive 3 | MJH | 192299 | ||
Jesus did not change the "letter" of the law because if he did he couldn't be the Messiah. Deut. 13 warns of a prophet that would come even doing miracles but if that prophet tried to take Israel away from the commands of Moses, then that was a false prophet. Too many Christians turn Jesus into someone he was not. Jesus also did not "spiritualize" the commands. What he did do, however, (to help you with your argument) was to correctly interpret the commands in both how they were originally intended to be understood and how they ought to be applied in their current situation. The Pharisees (not all of them) were heaping on mounds of oral tradition (oral law) and put all of the focus on those laws, most of which had to do with "holiness" commands (ie. clean and unclean) and neglected the mercy and justice laws that Jesus (and some other 1st century Rabbis) taught were "greater." Nowhere do we see Jesus ending any laws (like the food laws) or adding to the laws (like the Law to Love each other.) Until Christians see Jesus in his own context and among His own people they will continue to miss his point and teaching (or at least many of them...most Christians do get the heart of the teaching). But even the teaching on the "Kingdom of God/Heaven" that He spent most of his time on is still misunderstood by us today as if it has to do with "going to Heaven." It is very important, however, to understand the Living Walking in the Flesh Torah Logos of God did not change, end, nor supplant the very Word that He was. Everything in the Torah and the Prophets and the New Testament tells us this. MJH |
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52 | Confused? | Bible general Archive 3 | MJH | 192309 | ||
Doc, Yes, Jesus is the living fulfillment of the Torah. You are correct that he is much more than a teacher. When I wrote that Jesus did not add to the laws, I had in mind first and foremost the command in Deut. 12:32 that says, "See that you do all I command you; do not add to it or take away from it." But yes, Lev 19:18 is relevant as well. Jesus is obviously alluding to this commandment. It is new in as much as it is Jesus himself, the Messiah, who tells us that to love ones neighbor as oneself is fulfilled by loving as he as loved. Love for oneself can be unhealthy at times and loving ones neighbor as oneself is a very open ended command. Jesus is putting a finer point on this command by saying, "I have showed you how to love and you being my disciples should do likewise." And of course his love was sacrificial, servant like, and absolute. It's new in the sense that we have a new picture to relate the command of love to, but it is not new in that the Torah did not already command us to love our neighbors. Of course if Jesus did add a totally new commandment, he would have broken a commandment nullifying his ability to be the unblemished perfect sacrifice for our sins. Thanks for giving me an opportunity to flesh out that statement in my pervious post. I was wondering if someone might catch that… MJH |
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53 | Friend lost a close friend in a accident | Bible general Archive 2 | MJH | 138742 | ||
You have my prayers! What a very difficult time. To answer your question; first I'd say that no scripture is the best scripture right now. I have seen and heard too many people quote scripture to someone hurting only for it to be received in a negative way, particularly that Romans 8 passage that all things work out for good. That is the LAST thing someone needs to hear when nothing seems to be working out right. The fact is that evil and bad things happen. Hurt with them. Feel with them. Even smile with them (it is okay to smile at a wake). When the time is right, some good scriptures are ones that show Godly people mourning such as when David lost his son and his attendants thought he might be suicidal. Or Psalms that are heart wrenchingly honest before God. Even Jesus who wept (but that verse is too easily passed over -- Jesus WEPT was more than that word conveys. He really really wept.) I am sure others will have great ideas. I did want to get the point across that quoting scripture can often be done at times when silence may be the best course. She may not need nor want to be “cheered up.” Some cultures say that a person who shows little emotion is “handling it” well, and the person crying and weeping are not. I think the opposite. Pithy sayings can’t help at these times, not even if they are scripture meant to reveal the “good” side of every situation. I hope this is helpful. You might check out a book at a Christian Book Store. They have several on helping friends through these times. May God be with you and your friends! MJH |
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54 | Scripture - more than one meaning? | Bible general Archive 2 | MJH | 139827 | ||
Is it ever possible for scripture to have more than one meaning? I have heard the Sages of old said, "There are 70 layers to every Bible passage." I am not one to subscribe to 70 layers to every passage, but can there be more than one meaning? For example: Joseph is sold into slavery by his brothers, rejected. There is an obvious plane meaning to this. Joseph was sold into slavery. But, does this narrative foretell the Messiah being sold by his brothers, rejected, only to save them in the end like Joseph saved his brothers? Is this a Messiah picture, besides the plane obvious story? I was just curious what others thought about this. I think the above example is a Torah picture of the Messiah (kind of like the snake is seen as more than a snake in Gen 2). But . . . what do you all think? MJH |
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55 | Why ordain pastors? How do you do it? | Bible general Archive 2 | MJH | 140032 | ||
This brings up a good issue that I haven't thought of in some long time. Why do we "ordain" pastors? How did this practice start? I do know the scriptures, but I wonder how closely tied to them many denominations are. The one I grew up in required Greek to be learned and 4 years of seminary to get ordained (except it rare cases.) Then there is the difference between licensed and ordained. Any insightful thoughts on this? |
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56 | Why ordain pastors? How do you do it? | Bible general Archive 2 | MJH | 140037 | ||
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57 | Who saved James, Hebrews and Revelation? | Bible general Archive 2 | MJH | 143790 | ||
Colin, You are so very correct when you say, "Protestant scholarship suffers from suspicion of anything Catholic. This is a terrible fault on our part as Protestants . . ." I grew in faith, grace and knowledge the years that I decided that other denominations had good things to say too. I grew in faith, grace and knowledge the years that I stopped treating the Catholic Church as the anti-church. And when I accepted people who loved Jesus, attended our protestant church, but stilled called themselves catholic. I grew in faith, grace and knowledge when I stopped viewing Judaism as a works based faith destined to damnation, and listened. I don't know where the future leads, and my own faith as not wavered (I haven't taken up heretical teachings) and my commitment to Jesus the Messiah has grown stronger, not weaker. The day we stop questioning, listening, and humbly seeking to know God, is the day we become the very thing we fear most. God Bless, MJH |
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58 | Why celebrate Ash Wednesday? | Bible general Archive 2 | MJH | 144184 | ||
Why celebrate Ash Wednesday? Can anyone provide me with reasons to observe this holiday other than "The church says so?" I know it isn't in the Bible and I believe it started around 900 AD. But, if someone can give me healthy reasons for it, I'd love to hear them. Also, any background you want to provide would be nice. And, what do you (you personally) do on Ash Wednesday? (I'm not "against" it. But I would like to hear reasons for being "for" it.) Thanks. MJH |
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59 | Does God have wings? | Bible general Archive 2 | MJH | 150199 | ||
The Hebrew word for wing is kaw-naf'. This word can mean either "wing" in Hebrew, or "corner". The Hebrews were told in Numbers 15:38 to tie tassels on the kaw-naf' of their robes (so we say corner). This was to remind them of the Laws of God which were to protect them. When the priest blessed the people, when lifting the robe with the tassels tied to it, he appeared to have wings. So the visual wings were seen when the corners were lifted to bless. (kaw-naf' was seen when the kaw-naf' was lifted). They equated these tassels as a symbol of God's protection. When David cut off the kaw-naf' (corner) of Saul's robe in the cave, David was saying by doing this that God's protection was no longer on Saul. Saul says this same thing when he learns of it. The Hebrews were very visual, and when they heard the psalmist say God had kaw-naf' (wings), they connected this to Num. 15:38, and saw the protection from God found in the symbol of the Tassels which represented the Law. NOW FOR A REALLY COOL TIDBIT WE OFTEN MISS... Malachi 4:2 "But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in His (kaw-naf') wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall." Mattew 9:20-21 " And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, for she said to herself, "If I only touch his garment, I will be made well." Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, "Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well." And instantly the woman was made well.” Remember that the "fringe" or "tassel" was tied to the corner of the robes of all Jews. She didn't just touch him, she reached out and grabbed the tassel which was on the kaw-naf'(corner OR wing) of Jesus robe. We do not see Malachi's powerful prophesy and Jesus’ fulfillment, because we do not know that in Malachi, the word is kaw-naf'. Does God have wings? Yes, as it relates to the word kaw-naf'. It makes very perfect sense that the Hebrews would have pictured God with a robe and tassels held out to bless His people. Of course it's much easier to say, God covers me with His kaw-naf'. What was God's wing to the Hebrew? His wing was the Torah, or the Law given to Israel. What is God's wing to us now? The Salvation from sin and death through the Messiah Jesus, but more than that… MJH |
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60 | Jews' word for Hell comesfrom whatvalley | Bible general Archive 2 | MJH | 151724 | ||
Was it the Hinnon Valley? Excuss my spelling... I do know it was the valley where all the trash was dumped and burned. |
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