Results 81 - 100 of 465
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: Parable Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
81 | forgiveness | Matt 18:1 | Parable | 191373 | ||
Steve, thank you for your thoughtful replies. Perhaps you take a risk and attempt a summary of all the verses you have cited, in the form of a definition of "to forgive"? This forum is an exercise in exposition, which necessarily implies interpretation. Since you say the definition falls short, please explain how, or define the ideal by which you are measuring. |
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82 | forgiveness | Matt 18:1 | Parable | 191372 | ||
Jer 31:34b "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." Forgiveness here is associated with forgetting by the conjuction "and". So, Hank,are you suggesting that the definition of "to forgive" is "to forget"? I would not, because as I read this, not remembering is at best a consequence of forgiveness, not forgiveness itself. This is because the grammatical function of a conjunction is to associate two different things. Heb 8:12 and 10:17 are references to Jer 31:34, so these add nothing new to the discussion. |
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83 | forgiveness | Matt 18:1 | Parable | 191362 | ||
Here's another definition, from http://www.12ordinarymen.com/dictionary.htm "Forgiveness is canceling a debt; no longer liable for an account. The Lord Jesus has fully discharged all our obligations so that there is no legal ground for charges to be pressed against us anymore. Moreover He has given us a perfect standing before God so that we are fully acceptable in His sight." Comparing my view to this one, justice is a debt. Debts are entitlements. Surrendering one's right to justice is cancelling a debt that one is entitled to. Forgiveness on our part is possible only through the same grace that brought it to us. Clearly, the demands of justice have been met by Jesus on the cross, and that includes our individual demands for justice from others. So when we forgive someone, we really aren't doing anything accept agreeing with God that Jesus' sacrifice is sufficient for the debts we hold against others, as well as the debts we owe to God. Are you cool with that? |
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84 | forgiveness | Matt 18:1 | Parable | 191361 | ||
Hank, In your first reply, you said "Are Christians duty bound to look the other way while a murderer, robber, rapist or terrrorist goes free and unpunished for his heinous crimes? That's the message I get from your post, and to substantiate it, friend, you will need to show wherein the Bible teaches Christians to behave in this manner." My post implies nothing of the kind, and we both know there are no scriptures to support such a silly view. One of the reasons I attempted to define forgiveness is because the bible does not, yet people in pain need to know in practical terms what it means. The bible describes instances in which forgiveness is granted, but it never actually tells us precisely what it is we are to do in order to forgive, or how we can know that we have actually done it. Other than your attempt to reduce my view to the absurd, what do you find so objectionable about my "definition" of forgiveness? Perhaps you can answer by providing one of your own, based on scripture of course, or better yet, list one from scripture, i.e. a DEFINITION per se, that I missed. I look forward to your clarification. |
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85 | forgiveness | Matt 18:1 | Parable | 191358 | ||
No need to apologize! You complimented me, in the nicest way, by suggesting I was like you :) | ||||||
86 | forgiveness | Matt 18:1 | Parable | 191356 | ||
I do not recognize the "levels" of forgiveness that you have described as being fundamentally different, because all require the person to let go of their right to justice for the wrongs that were committed against them. Perhaps I need to clarify that a right is another way of saying entitlement. I can demand an entitlement, but with forgiveness, by grace I release my claim on that. This doesn't mean I act foolishly or irresponsibly. | ||||||
87 | forgiveness | Matt 18:1 | Parable | 191355 | ||
Cheri, you have the gist of what I meant. Forgiveness relates to vengeance as well as justice. I feel like my "definition" is being scrutinized from a legalistic perspective, rather than from one of grace. For people who have been wronged, and there was nothing illegal about what was done, there is still a sense of wanting to make things "right", to fix things, or to have the other person get their just desserts. My application of forgiveness to others is entirely consistent with my understanding of what the Lord has done for me. That is, God could have exacted justice from me, yet chose to surrender that to the cross of his only son. p.s. I am male :) |
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88 | forgiveness | Matt 18:1 | Parable | 191340 | ||
I agree that forgiveness is not optional for those who wish to be obedient. My point was to put it in specific terms that show God's wisdom in demanding this from us. As for references that support my definition, virtually every verse related to forgiveness demonstrates that it is a form of letting go and letting God. As for your second concern, to surrender one's RIGHT to see justice done does not imply that one abandons one's responsibilities to society by refusing to help the civic authorities in their duty to deliver justice as ordained by God. The difference between what I am talking about, i.e. forgiveness in one's heart, and what you are talking about, i.e. duty to society, is that personal forgiveness is within one's own authority while what you describe falls under the authority of the civic institutions ordained by God for such matters. Just out of curiosity, what is your operational definition of forgiveness? Be clear and specific, please. |
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89 | for what reason can a man divoce his wif | Matt 19:9 | Parable | 191339 | ||
Infidelity and abandonment are the two reasons for divorce expressly stated in the bible. Also, in Matthew 5, Jesus explains that lust is a form of adultery. Since adultery is a legitimate reason to divorce, it follows that lust also is a legitimate reason to divorce. Yet to many people, lust alone does not seem cause for divorce. However, in this case, the biblical word for lust does not refer to a passing thought anyone might experience then immediately dismiss, but rather “sinful longing” (Eastons’ 1897 Bible Dictionary). This refers to a pattern of inappropriate thoughts that are indulged at the expense of another person for base gratification of prurient desires. In the economy of God, such thoughts are morally bankrupt and are form of infidelity. These high standards demonstrate what marriage is supposed to mean for us by showing us what it means to God. Also, in recent times, application of biblical principles leads to the conclusion that certain patterns of abuse are also legitimate grounds for divorce. Regarding Matt 19:9, this verse is often interpreted out of the context of Jesus’ response to the Pharisee’s question about divorces that we being granted for any and every reason, as derived from Deut 24:1-4. Jesus denounces the idea that merely providing a certificate of divorce is all the law requires, and as a result, anyone who marries a person “divorced” in this illegitimate way, commits adultery and makes the other person into an adulterer. Again, we see God's higher standard convicting those who were divorcing for any and every reason. It is important to remember that God knows about divorce firsthand. In Jer 3:8, God divorced Israel for her faithlessness (abandonment) and idolatry (infidelity). We can know that God identifies with our suffering because He has experienced divorce. This divorce was necessary because the marriage with Israel was dead from a break of faith. It is in the context of faith that we are to be married, and when that is no longer possible, due to the hardness of someone's heart, (Matthew 19:8) divorce is appropriate. Divorce declares the death of a marriage, and thus releases us to grieve that loss and move on in life. |
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90 | forgiveness | Matt 18:1 | Parable | 191335 | ||
Before you can answer this question, you must know it means to forgive. This is hard to put into words, but here's what I believe is consistent with the biblical teachings on forgiveness: To forgive is to surrender your right to see justice done, or to be the one who brings justice to the transgressor. Forgiveness releases us from the mental/emotional attachment that binds us to the transgressor. Lack of forgiveness leads to resentment and bitterness, and these attachments often become a form of idolatry because they keep the transgressor foremost in your mind and heart, instead of keeping those places reserved for God. Forgiveness doesn't mean you condone or approve of what was done to harm you. It just means that you are separating yourself completely from any obligation you may feel to make things right. As Christians, we are blessed because we can forgive knowing that the Lord will address the wrongs that were committed, one way or another. By surrendering this to Him, we allow him to act according to His plan for that person. Thus, forgiveness witnesses to our faith in Him. Finally, forgiveness does not mean that you allow the transgressions to continue, and it does not mean that the other person has to apologize first, or ever,for that matter. Peace. |
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91 | Circumcision reduces HIV rates by half | Gen 17:11 | Parable | 181305 | ||
Language is half the battle it seems. My undergraduate research was in physical geo-chemistry, my graduate research involved imaging near-atomic level reactions in layered materials via dynamic high resolution transmission electron microscopy, and my professional duties involve laboratory experimentation in materials science and engineering, instructing undergraduate interns in educational outreach, and developing nanoscience applications for focussed ion beam technologies. I am an active member of a men's group dedicated to understanding the radical truth of the gospel by studying notable figures from Christian history, and for the past two years, I have been leading a divorce recovery class at my church, which has been by far the most rewarding service work I have ever done. |
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92 | ON JESUS, by Groothuis | Luke 24:27 | Parable | 181295 | ||
I have always wanted to know what Jesus said in his presentation to Cleopas and the other disciple. And by asking the popular question WWJD? (What Would Jesus Do?), people want to know more about what Jesus himself has said and how it relates to the OT teachings about himself, the kingdom of God, our world and how we should live. Well, I have recently discovered an excellent reference that presents a cogent, rigorous analysis of what Jesus' own words mean about his identity, worldview, his method of teaching and debate and his ethics. It is a relatively new volume (2002) in the Wadsworth Philosophers Series called "ON JESUS" by Dr. Dough Groothuis (pronouned "grote-ice"), a professor of religion and ethics at Denver Seminary. This short book is an excellent overview of Jesus through the eyes of an academic philosopher who is also a mature committed christian. Groothuis demonstrates that Jesus rightly stands in the ranks of the most influential minds in history. This is a book that shows what Jesus meant when he said we are to love God with all our mind and its a wonderful witness to Jesus' authority over truth. |
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93 | Circumcision reduces HIV rates by half | Gen 17:11 | Parable | 181286 | ||
Hank, I was not espousing anything outside the biblical mandate. I was merely citing a recently discovered medical fact that witnesses to the rest of the world and provides an opportunity for christians to speak the truth in love. And, the people who did this research and who are risking their own health in order to minister to literally millions of suffering souls through the God-given gifts of medicine are demonstrating love in an historic way. I certainly wasn't attempting to validate God's plan, but rather just make a connection that shows how practical God's wisdom is. In another post, Doc emphasized obedience over pragmatism, to which I concur, yet I also recognize God's boundaries serve to protect us, a very pragmatic result. Finally, in another post you celebrate the topic getting back to the bible. I submit that while I wasn't citing chapter/verse, this topic could not be more relevant for the conscientious caring christians who participate in this forum. |
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94 | Circumcision reduces HIV rates by half | Gen 17:11 | Parable | 181275 | ||
Sure. Sharing of needles for IV drug delivery (by resource-limited health care providers or by illicit drug users), transfusions of infected blood or clotting factors, during birth as a child passes through the birth canal, after birth through breast milk, accidentally when health care workers are stuck by infected needles or are otherwise exposed to infected fluids at open wounds or mucous membranes. It is possible to get HIV without being sexually immoral. My point about circumcision was that perhaps modern science is finally catching up with at least part of God's wisdom imparted so long ago. |
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95 | Circumcision reduces HIV rates by half | Gen 17:11 | Parable | 181273 | ||
Apparently, there are medical reasons, not just behavioral. One cited was that the foreskin is like a sponge for viral particles, and uncircumsized men are generally less hygienic. Even in a monogamous marital relationship, if one partner has HIV, the rate of transmission to the other is reduced by half, in either direction, man to woman or woman to man. Also, I'm not sure that your belief about the sexual ethics during Abraham's time is supported. Indeed, I expect it was not all that much different from today, perhaps due to cultural/religious factors. |
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96 | Circumcision reduces HIV rates by half | Gen 17:11 | Parable | 181258 | ||
The following research results were reported at http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/health/july-dec06/malaria_12-14.html "Results of two studies conducted in Africa show that circumcision can cut the rate of HIV infection in heterosexual men by 50 percent." "The evidence has been growing for about 10 years that male circumcision is protective against HIV infection, not only to the man, but also to the partner of the man, if the man is HIV positive and his partner is not." "...male circumcision is highly protective, and it helps to explain the pattern of HIV-AIDS that we see around the world." Makes one wonder what health benefits might have been realized at the time of Abraham.... |
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97 | Mary's virginity remained intact | Bible general Archive 3 | Parable | 180606 | ||
Much appreciated. Thank you for your thoughtful response! I think you are on point. | ||||||
98 | Mary's virginity remained intact | Bible general Archive 3 | Parable | 180593 | ||
correction, make that Jer 3:8, not 28:8. | ||||||
99 | Mary's virginity remained intact | Bible general Archive 3 | Parable | 180592 | ||
Your conclusions may have merit, but upon what do you base them, specifically? As for my hypothetical situation, it was to get at the point of whether the issue centers on who was involved, and perhaps not on the means by which it was done. So there was a point in mentioning it. As for it not being adultery if there was no intercourse, that's understood. However, my purpose was to consider the deeper question of what constitutes infidelity. For example, in Jeremiah 28:8, God says "I gave faithless Israel her certificate of divorce and sent her away because of all her adulteries." If physical intercourse is necessary, this can only mean that the nation of Israel had physical intercourse with someone besides God, when most understand this to refer to Israel's idolatry with other religions. |
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100 | Mary's virginity remained intact | Bible general Archive 3 | Parable | 180591 | ||
I'm not trying to prove anything, so I don't see how I can have failed. My purpose is not to convict God of wrongdoing, but rather elucidate the scriptures or biblical principles that satisfy the question. If your argument is that this question is logically incoherent, then explain on the basis of scripture or orthodox theology. If your argument is that its not adultery because it wasn't sexual, or that the law does not apply to God, then cite the scriptures that support this. If there is another way to understand this event such that the question, although fairly asked does not apply, then please be specific in your references. In Peace, Parable |
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