Results 81 - 100 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# | |||
81 | Are Christain who murder exluded? | Rev 21:8 | Just Read Mark | 143036 | ||
God's grace is wonderful. Thank you for the scriptural reference. I think Revelation makes a lot more sense when tied back through the Bible like this. The washing is a powerful image. JRM |
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82 | Is there intelligent life on earth? | John 17:17 | Just Read Mark | 142951 | ||
How about the Message? Sometimes the religious language of the Bible stunts our ability to aprehend for our whole lives. I think the Message is very good, even taking into account the original languages. My respect for the message jumped up a few notches when studying Isaiah. The traditional rendering of Isaiah 28:10 goes like this: "For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, Line upon line, line upon line, Here a little, there a little." But the commentary I was reading acknowledged that we really don't know what this passage means, and that the traditional rendering is on loose ground. The commentary then mentioned that many scholars think the text is not actually a sentence at all, but an immitation of baby sounds..... OK, now look at the message: "Da, da, da, da, blah, blah, blah, blah. That's a good little girl, that's a good little boy.'" So, Eugene Peterson is not only sassy, he's done his research. Paraphrases, done well, have an important but subserviant relation to the Real Thing. JRM |
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83 | Are Christain who murder exluded? | Rev 21:8 | Just Read Mark | 142944 | ||
I just finished reading Revelation today (and also my first complete read-through of the bible since university days! I'm so energized!) I have found the apolalyptic books (Zecheriah, Daniel, Revelation) some of the hardest to understand, though certainly exciting. I feel swept into the arc of God's story, even if I don't get the details. The verse in question lists people thrown into the fire. The verse immediately before it declares the "victor's heritage" --- indeed, the whole book has repeated blessings for "those who overcome." Those who overcome, it seems, are blameless -- while the sinners are condemned? BUT it is clear from the letter to the churches (Rev Ch 2-3) that the churches are not blameless: some are deceived, some are legalistic, some are prideful etc. These flawed churches are still encouraged to strive for the reward. They are given the vision of overcomers: life radical lives for God and be rewarded! The description of the white (pure) robes gives a clearer sense of what it means to be among the overcomers: "they have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb." (7:14) This is reiterated as a goal for us, the readers, at the end of the book: "Happy are those who wash their robes clean! They shall be free to eat from the tree of life....."(22:14) - this bit is followed by a list of those left outside, very like topic of this thread. The contrast seems to NOT be: "be holy or be excluded" --- but RATHER, "be washed or be excluded." I present these thoughts in all humilty, as I found the book confusing. JRM |
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84 | Balaam's Plot? | Num 31:16 | Just Read Mark | 142267 | ||
Reading Revelation, I came across another mention of Balaam. In the words of Jesus, it refers directly to Balaam's role in Israel's sexual immorality and idol worship. (Rev 2:14). It is just as explicit as Numbers 31:16. So I started to look for other references to Balaam, and see what aspect of his actions they emphasize. Most emphaize that he was hired to curse, but God caused him to bless instead. He is also used as an example of someone who chooses to act immorally for the sake of money. Some refer to his role in the Israelite's fall into idol worship and sexual immorality. I only found one mention of the donkey. Also: in the old testament, the story is just recounted as part of Israel's story (although this is still a cause for action, esp. Nehemiah). In the New Testament, Balaam is mentioned more like a "sermon illustration," in a wider setting of teaching. Here's what I found: Deuteronomy 23:4 --- recounts how Balaam was hired to curse Israel. Emphasizes the need to keep separate from Moabites --- this is also the verse the people would have read in Nehemiah. Joshua 16:22 --- discussing division of land among tribes of Israel, and mentioned the death of Balaam. Joshua 24:9 --- Recounting Israel's story, Balaam's blessings are mentioned, but not the idolatry/sexuality issue. Nehemiah 13:2 --- How God turned Balaam's curses into blessing... also, how Israelites and Moabites should not mix... Micah 6:5 --- Balaam blesses Israel, instead of the curses Balak wished for. 2 Peter 2:15 --- Balaam's foolishness, and the donkey's rebuke. Jude 1:11 ---Balaam's greed leading to error Revelation 2:14 --- refers directly to Balaam's role in Israel's sexual immorality and idol worship. |
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85 | Gods Will and Natural Disaster? | Rom 8:28 | Just Read Mark | 141047 | ||
Greetings. I have found this thread helpful, as I consider God's sovereignty and grace. We speak about "natural disasters." Are there any natural disasters recorded in the Bible? All of the "mountains falling into the sea" etc. seem to be caused by God - and generally as punishment for sin. I certainly doubt those people have any greater sin than those in other parts of the world! If the Bible shapes our entire worldview, however, there doesn't seem to be room for the "natural disaster." JRM |
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86 | Balaam's Plot? | Num 31:16 | Just Read Mark | 140738 | ||
I think that's true: basically, we aren't told how Balaam influenced the idolatry.... the clearest moment is Numbers 31:16. I have been considering the significance of this story, and want to share this thought: Perhaps, when they heard a pagan prophet had blessed them, the Israelites dropped their guard against blending with the local cultures... just as we are prone to do: when we see those around us doing right, we are tempted to soften the exclusive claims of our Lord. JRM |
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87 | Balaam's Plot? | Num 31:16 | Just Read Mark | 140526 | ||
I have been entranced by the story of Balaam (Numbers 22-24, (25) (31)). The way a pagan prophet comes to speak the words of the Living God is a wonderful (and at times comical) tale. The donkey is great! The bulk of the story is actually quite positive: a foolish pagan prophet recognizes God's voice, and - going against his culture and king - blesses the Israelites. Somehow, he comes to be blamed Israel's sexual relations with Moabite women, and the idolatry it leads to. During the account of this event, there is no mention of Balaam (see chapter 25) --- he has blessed Israel and then parted ways from the Moabite leader (24:25). Why is he blamed for this? JRM |
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88 | eye for an eye | Lev 24:20 | Just Read Mark | 137804 | ||
I guess I was thinking that eye for an eye is a little like: "Do not do to others what you would not want done to yourself." It would certainly instill some empathy: " here is the exact suffering the other person went through, so that you understand what it's like." In a brutal way, I can see how you can get from there to the more visionary step of "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you..." (Matt 7...) As for art: there is so much! Where faith and art come together, I am just filled with curiosity and joy. I shared a set of representations of Jesus with our church youth group this weekend, and it opened up the best prayer time we have ever had together. The images, spanning centuries and cultures, pulled so much reflective thought out of them. Exhilerating. God Bless! JRM |
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89 | What is this "valuation of persons" abou | Lev 27:2 | Just Read Mark | 137785 | ||
What is this "valuation of persons" about? This chapter mentions "redeeming", "vowing", "dedicating", and "holiness" ... but I don't understand it. The different "values" placed on men and women, young and old, seem troubling. | ||||||
90 | Year of Jubilee for the Land? | Lev 25:24 | Just Read Mark | 137784 | ||
Doc --- I really like your thought about the exile providing the land with a much-delayed Sabbath. Reading further in Leviticus, I found that it is actually made explicit : They will be taken into the land of their enemies (v 41)... And if while they repent in Exile, God will "remember the land. For the land will be deserted by them and will enjoy its sabbaths while it lies desolate without them." (verse 43) Pretty cool, eh? As for the "environmentalism" you referred to, I would suggest there is a Biblical model for caring for the environment that goes right back to the garden of Eden. Somehow, Leviticus pictures the year of Jubilee as freeing slaves, returning property, and also treating the "land" well. I'd like to understand this better. Here is a verse that points to our role as stewards of God's land (rather than owners who can do as we wish): "The land, moreover, shall not be sold permanently, for the land is Mine; for you are but aliens and sojourners with Me." Lev 25:23. Peace. JRM |
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91 | the purpose of hebrews | Heb 8:6 | Just Read Mark | 137744 | ||
Hebrews shows how Jesus fulfills and supercedes the old covenant. The book looks at many aspects of O.T. faith, such as priesthood, sacrifice, and sabbath rest --- and shows how Jesus has fundamentally altered our relationship with God. As in the verse I selected, words like "better" and "more excellent" come up very often. Hebrews is complicated in all of its allusions and references --- but it is so rewarding to read! And it continually challenges readers to press on -- to be dynamic and faithful followers of this amazing Priest / King / Servant. |
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92 | Year of Jubilee for the Land? | Lev 25:24 | Just Read Mark | 137742 | ||
The land is to receive a Sabbath, just as we are. (see verse 4). Does this idea of a jubilee for the land (v 24) underline our responsibility for the environment? | ||||||
93 | eye for an eye | Lev 24:20 | Just Read Mark | 137741 | ||
Is this verse a bit like "the golden rule," but phrased in terms of punishment? | ||||||
94 | The meaning of "break" | Ex 19:24 | Just Read Mark | 136268 | ||
The Barrier between us and God. I have been deeply moved, thinking through this scene. Just scratching the surface. May we, like the Isrealites, tremble. Here's what I'm thinking... God is holy. The instruction to "set limits around the mountain and keep it holy" reflects the holiness of God. Our sin cannot approach God's throne. Now, it seems God has also set a limit for himself -- a line of self-restraint perhaps? So if they "break" their bounds, God's holiness will "break forth" and consume them. I think this is one of the clearest pictures of the barrier between humanity and our creator. I think, also, of the angels blocking the garden of Eden. What are other clear examples of this barrier? The intimacy of the garden was lost. The events at Mount Sinai make the connection between the barrier, holiness, and the law. We are set for destruction. Addressing this barrier was the purpose of the sacrifices, the priesthood, and ultimately the coming of our Lord. I want to look at the relationship between this scene in Exodus and the book of Hebrews. |
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95 | The meaning of "break" | Ex 19:24 | Just Read Mark | 136261 | ||
The word "break" is used twice here --- once of the people, once of God. The same word is used several times in the chapter. Can someone shed light on this interesting text? | ||||||
96 | How do magicians imitate blood plague? | Ex 7:22 | Just Read Mark | 136140 | ||
The magicians humbled. Hi Ray. God made His intention clear: "Take your rod and stretch out your hand over their streams, over their rivers, over their ponds, and over all their pools of water, that they may become blood. And there shall be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in buckets of wood and pitchers of stone." (Ex 7:19) We then see this fullfilled, "so there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt" (7:21). So, yes, my questions was: if all the water is already blood, how can the magicians turn water to blood? It seems that surface water was turned to blood, but if you dug a new well you could find clean water.(v. 24) Perhaps this ground water is what they turned to blood -- at least a sample of it. I am just shocked by this plague. It is so gross. For a country to do without water for 7 days would be devastating --- probably worse than flies, locusts, frogs. I just don't understand these magicians, and why people would be satisfied with their tricks! Turning one container of water to "blood" is one thing, but the entire water system of a nation is quite another. There is an order of magnitude difference here. It seems we are tempted to explain God away, and honour gods of our making. It is informative to see what happens to the magicians over the course of the plagues: -- after the frogs (8:7), the magicians can't keep up. -- With lice, they fail (8:17). They even testify that the plague is God's doing (8:18). -- the magicians are later incapacitated by the plague of boils (9:11). They aren't heard from again. This is seen as a contest between the Egyptians gods and the God of Israel. As Jethro says, "Now I know that the Lord is greater than all the gods; for in the very thing in which they behaved proudly, He was above them." (18:11) |
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97 | did we pre-exist as a spirit being? | John 1:2 | Just Read Mark | 136075 | ||
Hank: I really appreciate the contrast between Adam and Eve's creation (molded and breathed into being), and Christ's incarnation. What an amazing book. JRM. (too bad these threads are not kept together, but I see the reason for it.) |
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98 | did we pre-exist as a spirit being? | Job 38:4 | Just Read Mark | 136072 | ||
Heavenly Home (w some Wordwsorth) The idea of pre-existance is not a Biblical idea. It has been held by many people, and is expressed in the following quote from William Wordsworth's "Ode: Intimations of Immortality" "Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting: The Soul that rises with us, our life's Star, 60 Hath had elsewhere its setting, And cometh from afar: Not in entire forgetfulness, And not in utter nakedness, But trailing clouds of glory do we come 65 From God, who is our home..." This poem sees childhood as an innocent and virtuous time, which the ills of society darken. While still a wonderful poem, it does differ from the Biblical narative: we are born the servants of our cravings, and need Christ's redemption to free us. Heaven is, however, our true home (even though we haven't been there). Like Abraham, we wander until we arrive at our eternal home (see Hebrews 11:9-10.) This can be a useful way to explain about heaven, and those we love who we miss dearly. Christ used the image of the mansion with many rooms: what a welcome that will be. May God bless your Bible study --- that's great to do at work! JRM |
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99 | How do magicians imitate blood plague? | Ex 7:22 | Just Read Mark | 136064 | ||
Looking at the Plagues in Egypt, particularly when the water is turned to blood: If all of the water, including that in cisterns and jars, was already turned to blood, how did the Magician's flaunt their abilities? |
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100 | How literal is the Bible? | Bible general Archive 2 | Just Read Mark | 135818 | ||
Hi Reighnskye. Thanks for letting me know. I didn't really understand the drug references... it was "all greek to me." Anyway, I'd probably just get roasted (in the most collegial way) for my post, so it's just as well. JRM |
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