Re: A thought then, on the BIBLE....
Originally posted by Mikey the Flower Guy
how did the "VIRGIN" Mary have a child??
It was an act of the Holy Spirit - not a physical union, as per Greek mythology, but a unique act of God. It was necessary for her to be a virgin so that Christ was not of the line of Adam - He was in fact the "New Adam."
how did our beliefs wain when it came to explaining how the north star pointed to Bethlehem,
Not sure where you get THAT from. Wise men travelled "from the East" therefore they travelled WEST - not North. Remember, this was a "new star" that signified great things for them.
and why was it that GOD allowed HIS only child to die for our sins, when it IS a sin to kill??
Did GOD allow killing??...did HE forget to check in from time to time, to see how HIS SON was doing??
Yes, killing is a sin. Remember, Christ prayed for forgiveness for those who put Him to death. Remember also, that Christ died in our stead - WE deserved death, as punishment for sin. He willingly took our place, our punishment, so that by His righteousness we might enter heaven.
The BIBLE is a collection of stories and recollections, of some VERY WISE people, many years to assemble, and many years to write...and though the TRUTHS of the BIBLE, to which I subscribe wholely, and openly, should I ALSO blindly cast aside a portion of society to blind faith??
The Bible was written over ~1600 years by nearly 40 different men, yet is consistent in doctrine throughout, pointing to Christ from the first book of Genesis right through to Revelation. Clearly, this kind of authorship can only be devinely inspired, and thus as the Word of God should be studied, learned, accepted and obeyed.
IF I blindly accept this teaching, then all children of GOD, are NOT created equal, and BECAUSE I believe that ALL children of this earth are born equal, with LESS than equal opportunities to live a life that matches their "neighbours", then we ARE NOT EQUAL, and those of us that are "more equal than others" should have the power to destroy and kill those that are "different" than us.
No one is asking you to "blindly" do anything. A study of the Bible shows all ARE equal, created in God's image. No one is to be cast aside, either - Remember Christ's parable of the lost sheep? The lost coin? Those outside the faith are to be pursued with love and a goal of restoration to God, NOT cast aside. That's a pharasaical attitude that Christ often condemned in the leaders of His time. Equal value doesn't mean tolerating of sin. It means all are precious to God, therefore precious to all Christians.
ALL we need to do, is decide, WHOM it is that we should be modelled after, and let the rest turn to dust, or cattle feed! We CAN argue, we CAN discuss, we CAN disagree, and we CAN accept..so SHOULD WE??
Mike
Whom to be modelled after? Easy - Jesus Christ, the sinless perfect man, the Son of God. This Jesus who was not afraid to get His hands dirty in ministry, who spent time with the lowest of the low, never condoning sin, but calling them to a better life in Him. Someone earlier mentioned the story in John of the woman caught in adultery, where Jesus said "Let him without sin throw the first stone." Everyone left, because no one was righteous enough to condemn - BUT Jesus immediately told her she was forgiven, and to "sin no more." Not cast aside, but not remaining in sin. The message of the gospel, as presented by all the apostles is "Repent and believe." Turn from your sin AND have faith in Christ. Both are part of the package.
I've never been a hellfire and brimstone kind of girl...don't subscribe to that in ANY part of my life.
