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NASB | Luke 14:26 "If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Luke 14:26 "If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life [in the sense of indifference to or relative disregard for them in comparison with his attitude toward God]--he cannot be My disciple. |
Bible Question:
Thanks, George. Yes, the issue about calling no man "father" seems to be another point of contention, doesn't it? As is women keeping silent in the church. I am a skeptic, I will admit that. But I run into alot of "Bible-believing Christians" who, quite simply don't believe the Bible. Jesus said to call no man "father" and we do anyway. Paul said that women should keep silent in the church and I've never seen that exhortation put into practice. If we interpret the word "hate" as "to love less" then it becomes a sticky situation with God loving sin less or God loving divorce less or God loving Esau less. So I struggle with the fact that the Bible cannot be taken at face-value (it doesn't mean what it says). As soon as we open that Pandora's box, that the Bible doesn't mean what it says, then how are we ever to know what it DOES mean? Then it becomes one persons opinion against another and who is to say who is right? Anyway, yes, I am seeking truth. But I have trouble trusting something which people swear is without contradiction, even when the contradiction is as plain as the noses on our faces. And it cases of this sort, it seems like "Bible-believing Christians" pick and choose what parts they want to believe and what parts they don't. Here is another issue that I would seriously like an answer to: God says to love our enemies and to do good to those who spitefully use us. But He swears that He will destroy His enemies. Now I guess God is God but this certainly seems like a "do as I say, not as I do" approach. Any thoughts? seeking4truth |
Bible Answer: Hello seeking4truth, I'm skeptical too, by nature. You raised so many issues in your post ... and I certainly dont have all the answers. You are absolutely correct that christians often pick and chose what parts of scripture to obey. The teachings regarding women in church and calling men father are clear, and clearly ingnored. These are contradictions in people, not God. But there is one idea that you brought up which I would like to address. That God says to love our enemies and to do good to those who spitefully use us, ye He will destroy His enemies. Who can deny that God in Jesus Christ, did ... does, love His enemies. Rom 5:6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Rom 5:7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. Rom 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Rom 5:9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath [of God] through Him. Rom 5:10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. Yes, God loves us. Yes, if we are not justified by His blood we will suffer His wrath. I know this is not a pat answer, and I am not trying to argue you into belief. I am taking your name at face value, that you are truly seeking for truth. I encourage you to keep seeking, relentless like Jacob at Bethel, Gen 32. If you do, you will be rewarded. Heb 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please [Him,] for he who comes to God must believe that He is and [that] He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. Listener |