Results 61 - 80 of 294
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: Just Read Mark Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
61 | Slavery | Titus 2:9 | Just Read Mark | 156413 | ||
3 thoughts on slavery. Hi Mark. Well, first off, it conflicts with my comfort zone ; ) I will try to flesh out some of the thoughts in my head. I would be interested in YOUR understanding of how slavery is treated in the NT. Perpective 1. This passage tells slaves to obey their master beyond the letter of the law. This whole book emphasizes orderly behaviour for all people, and is applied to slave as well. Where some would see resisting injustice as the kind of Good Work we are called to perform, freedom for the slaves is not suggested here. So then, this is one side of it... accepting slavery as uncomfortable but not immoral. The higher importance is placed on living an orderly, rather than rebellious, life. Perspective 2) When Paul says that, in Christ, there is neither male nor female, slave nor free (Gal 3:28), he is not saying I cease to be a male... rather he is saying we are equal. Same for slaves. Thus the radical claim is that slave and master are EQUALS before God. Perspective 3) The whole book of Philemon. Here, Paul appeals for the freedom of a Slave. The letter underscores the absurdity of Master and Slave beeing equal in Christ, but so unequal in their relationship to each other. Paul, here, is appealing to a master who is devout. What hope, then, is there for slaves who have pagan (or perhaps capitalist) masters. So theres a start. This isnt so much a contradiction as a complexity worth understanding. JRM |
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62 | Slavery | Titus 2:9 | Just Read Mark | 156411 | ||
Regarding the Underground Railroad. I just find it illuminating to see how people from other times have interpreted the same words we study today. It sometimes helps us to get beyond our own assumptions. Participants in the underground Railroad were certainly aware of Bible texts, and used the Exodus extensively. While many could not read, others could, and the messages were shared orally. I am not supporting slavery. As for Paul, I dont think he supported slavery as ideal. Yet he seems to think people could be faithful WITHIN it anyway, and that opposing it was not what the 1st century demanded of Christians. I just wonder how slaves have found these words, through the centures, to reflect their freedom in Christ. |
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63 | Slavery | Titus 2:9 | Just Read Mark | 156391 | ||
Did the partipants in the Underground Railroad have a way of reading this verse How do we make sense of the conflicting image of slavery in the NT |
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64 | self-righteous and Truth | Prov 21:2 | Just Read Mark | 156390 | ||
I think the best illustration of self-rightousness comes from the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus is talking about judging others, and the hypocracy we are prone to. The text is Matthew 7:1-5. Then, taking these words of Jesus to heart, we need to pray that we will be able to see things clearly. With humility, we draw others of God s truth. JRM |
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65 | Beware "Another" | 2 Cor 11:4 | Just Read Mark | 156389 | ||
We can also learn from Victor here. When the Pope points to Christ, we should celebrate this, for as LionHeart has said, all who follow Christ are the church. There are different ways to organize a church. Are there problems with Catholic hierarchy... Probably. Are there problems with community churches that spring up all over the place, and are accountable to no larger body... Probably. Every way we have of organizing ourselves will have problems, for we are fallen people. The new testament has many examples of hierarchy (Paul emphasizing his authority, and appointing leaders to keep congregations growing in the right direction. like Titus 1:5) and also many examples of diverse leaders under Christ (1 Corinthians 3:5) Doc, your initial post implies that the Pope was pointing to Another Christ,or Another Gospel. When so many Catholics are true believers, this is objectionable. Expecially since you didnt explain the grounds for your criticism. Furthermore, the Pope s comments about avoiding a consumer attitude to religion is certainly a worthy critique of much contemporary faith practice. It is better to hear the wisdom in the words, than to be dismissive. JRM (PS -- I am writing from a French computer, and the forum is not allowing me to use question marks or quotation marks or appostrophes... sorry for the weirdness that causes) |
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66 | Merciful Sheep? | Matt 5:7 | Just Read Mark | 153345 | ||
Hi Steve. Does that definition of "mercy" make sense in Luke 10:37? |
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67 | Merciful Sheep? | Matt 5:7 | Just Read Mark | 153344 | ||
Hi Doc. I agree that God is showing mercy to the sheep. And it is beautiful how humble they are about the whole thing: "Lord, when did we...." Now, the actions that the "sheep" take toward those in need (the thirsty, hungry, etc) --- are those rightly called acts of "mercy"? Some say "yes" --- because the sheep are responding to suffering without expectation of a return for their efforts. Others say "no, it's not mercy" because the sheep are not in positions of power over the sufferers. I'm just trying to figure this out, in relation to Matt 5:7. Thoughts? |
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68 | Why are the 7 thunders not written about | Rev 10:4 | Just Read Mark | 153247 | ||
God is beyond our understanding. God has told us everything we need to know, but this verse about the "seven thunders" emphasizes that there is so much beyond our knowing. This is a fearsome thing, that makes wonder and adoration spring from within us. |
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69 | Merciful Sheep? | Matt 5:7 | Just Read Mark | 153246 | ||
Looking at the "sheep and goats" scene in Matthew 25:31-46. Are the human actions here examples of "mercy," or something else (like compassion)? Is this judgement scene an illustration of "Blessed are the merciful... ?" | ||||||
70 | What is mercy? | Matt 5:7 | Just Read Mark | 153210 | ||
From the context of Salvation, can you reframe "mercy" in the context of christian life. Blessed are the merciful --- this means Christians in areas of authority or power not metting out the punishments that people deserve? |
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71 | What is mercy? | Matt 5:7 | Just Read Mark | 153207 | ||
I like the example of Saul and David. Saul was king, but in that instance David had the power. So David had mercy on Saul. Turning now to the Good Samaritan --- we don't usually think of Samaritans as having power to yield. But he had the resources to aid the wounded traveller, so perhaps that is power enough. Aid was his to either give or withhold, and he was merciful. Does that follow from your statement about power and mercy? |
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72 | What is mercy? | Matt 5:7 | Just Read Mark | 153206 | ||
Grace and mercy. Here is a different way of distinguishing grace from mercy. "The two terms are frequently synonymous; but where there is a distinction between the two, it appears that grace is a loving response when love is undeserved, and mercy is a loving response prompted by the misery and helplessness of the one on whom the love is to be showered. Grace answers to the undeserving; mercy answers to the miserable." -----D. A. Carson, "The Sermon on the Mount" What do you think? |
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73 | What is mercy? | Matt 5:7 | Just Read Mark | 153175 | ||
The usual use of "mercy" generally involves a power relationship between the two parties. For example, the judge treats the criminal clemency. So this beatitude would relate to how we use authority, in the family, workplace, etc. A few things I have read about this beatitude, however, interpret "mercy" akin to "compassion": mercy is aiding someone who is SUFFERING. A biblical occurence of this would be the good samaratan having mercy on the wounded traveller. Help me out here. Is the broader definition part of mercy, or only the one that has a sense of authority to it? Many of the occurences of the word "mercy" in the gospel are ambiguous to this distinction, because people are crying out "Lord, have mercy." In these cases, both senses apply, for they are appealing to a higher authority ("Lord") to respond to their suffering (illnesses, possessions, etc.). JRM |
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74 | Tongues in different settings? | 1 Cor 14:22 | Just Read Mark | 151097 | ||
Wow, Tim. I never would have read the words like that. It makes me want to learn greek. It results in a completely different meaning to the verse --- but certainly more harmonious with the larger context. So, if the verse is a rhetorical question, does that work with the OT quote that sets it up? |
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75 | did ezra build the first temple? | 1 Kin 8:27 | Just Read Mark | 151060 | ||
Solomon built the first temple. David really wanted to, but God said his warrior hands were too bloody. I love Solomon's prayer of dedication --- 1 Kings 8: 22-53. The first Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians. ( 2 Kings 25:9) This resulted in Ezra and Nehemiah rebuilding it. |
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76 | Tongues, madness or sign for unbeliever | 1 Cor 14:22 | Just Read Mark | 151055 | ||
Thanks for the in-depth answer. It is fascinating, and I appreciate how the OT quote is integrated into it ( ... although it is a strange passage for Paul to quote. It's relation to tongues is certainly metaphorical...). So, if I understand it right, Paul is saying that tongues are for unbelievers. If the tongues are improperly used, however, they will be discrediting to the church. If they are properly used, they will somehow reach unbelievers. I have two questions.... first, why would an unbeliever be impressed by unintelligable words? Second, if Paul's criticism is simply that they are using tongues badly, why doesn't he contrast "good tongues" to "confusing tongues" instead of contrasting tongues to prophecy? I hope I have made my questions clear.... it seems a bit muddled. JRM |
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77 | Tongues in different settings? | 1 Cor 14:22 | Just Read Mark | 151054 | ||
Thanks to everyone who has responded to my question! We tend to answer questions out of our general knowledge, rather than deal directly with the text. This particular text says "Tongues, then, are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers." Some of the responses have contradicted this (ie. tongues are for believers, or of no benefit whatsoever...) without explaining how the conclusions were arrived at. Earlier in the chapter, Paul talks about speaking mysteries in the spirit and thereby "building up themselves" (v.4). So it seems there is a place for private tongues, as an act of worship --- but that this sort of tongues should not be used in a group. In a group, we should be striving to "build up the church" (v 12). It appears tongues can function in this way if there is an interpreter (v. 5). Tongues is good, but prophecy is a more reliable way to build up the church. Do you think this is a reasonable sumation of the first half of the chapter? There is then a shift at verse 20, which leads to a statement that seems contradictory to what I just stated. Where the first part says tongues are for the believer's private use or (with an interpreter) among believers, the next verses say tongues are to benefit unbelievers, not believers. Help me out here. It seems contradictory, but I suspect I'm just not getting the whole sense of it. There are, perhaps different uses of tongues. Let's leave the events of Pentecost aside, since that seems an extraordinary blessing, beyond the normal experience of the churches. Instead, please help with this particular chapter. Yours JRM. |
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78 | Tongues, madness or sign for unbeliever | 1 Cor 14:22 | Just Read Mark | 150847 | ||
Please help me to understand this verse in context, especially the verses which follow directly after. How are tongues a benefit to unbelievers, when a few verses later it says that unbelievers see tongues as "madness"? |
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79 | Bear each others load, or our own? | Gal 6:5 | Just Read Mark | 147522 | ||
Thanks, Ed. That is very helpful. I have printed out the response, to follow the references better. I particularly like this notion of the "soldier's pack" as distinct fromt the oppressive burden. Both mutual service and individual responsibility are important. Also, the link to "come all who are heavy laden" is meaningful. JRM |
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80 | Bear each others load, or our own? | Gal 6:5 | Just Read Mark | 147508 | ||
This verse instructs us to bear our own load. 2 verses earlier, Paul tells us to bear each others loads. What is he getting at? Please help me understand these verses in context. |
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