As California goes, so goes the nation.
ASAP: Go to the HSLDA site http://hslda.org where you can sign the ‘depublishing’ petition against a lower court ruling that could essentially outlaw homeschooling and/or have incredible implications against parents, homeschoolers and, ultimately, homeschooling in California.
HSLDA 540-338-5600
Focus on the Family – listen to the Friday, March 7, broadcast. Dr. Dobson is joined by several well informed guests discussing the latest ruling and implications; go to: Family.org
Listen: http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/Focus_on_the_Family/
I should have prefaced my last post by telling you I don’t in any way at all think you are a bigot or support slavery. I’m sorry if you thought that was my intention. Nor do I think of people who tend to their own homes as slaves.
But I must say, to excuse your bible from extolling the rights concerning the owning of slaves by saying they meant appliances doesn’t absolve it from these teachings. They meant people. We both know that.
I guess my problem is not so much with the core message of your version of Christianity but with the people it excludes and sends to Hell based on this supposedly inerrant version of the bible you worship.
Why is YOUR version of the bible the “right” one? What about what the Catholics did to the book? Yet the KJV is what most Christians use. Why are you able to find what YOU and those who worship as you do find offensive as “true” but by “slaves” they must have meant small appliances? Isn’t that hypocrisy?
I will tell you the truth, I am a spiritualist. I believe Jesus was the greatest teacher who ever lived. I also believe that Jesus is interested and supports the teachings of Budda, Confusious, etc. Because I know Jesus was a seeker of His Father AKA God, Spirit, what have you. So all of the spiritual teachings and beliefs of this world would be of the utmost importance to Him.
I also firmly believe in reincarnation and that there is no Hell. Well, not so much NO Hell. When we pass we have to feel every tiny bit of pain we may have caused on this Earth before we go on to the better and parts of the afterlife. But then we look over our life, the lessons learned and prepare for the next life where we will become even closer to Him. I have a hard time thinking that God in all His wisdom would have us here for a blink of His eye then send us to A or B. And, as I’m sure you know, there are references to reincarnation in the bible. Why are these not fact?
I have no problem at all with how you believe except that it excludes so many people that simply believe differently than you. How can the bible we have today be the inerrant word of God when it’s been changed so many times in so many different eras of human history?
As far as our “Father” who loves us but would send us to Hell? My father wouldn’t send me to Hell because I was ignorant or didn’t follow exactly what He supposedly said. Why would the all-knowing, almighty? Is your God stupid or is he cruel?
Wouldn’t God want all of us to experience His love in our own way, as he communicates with us? My relationship with God is mine. I cherish it. I know in my heart and soul it is true. Who are you, or people who follow as you do, to say that I am going to Hell because I disagree with YOUR version of HIS teachings? My problem is with the anyone proclaiming that they KNOW the “right” way to follow our creator. Or the “right” way to live or perish.
Your way to live is right and fabulous for you. I rejoice that you are happy in your life as I do (and believe God does) for anyone who is living the life that is true and joyful for them. I, personally, am more in agreement with you as far as how you live, present yourself and set an example in this world. It’s pretty much how I was raised. With the exception of the interpretation of the bible. I feel that the large majority of it is very helpful and true. But I also believe that the bible was stolen by the Catholics and distorted for their purposes.
I am not saying any of this to call you wrong per se. I am asking how you know for sure that you are right? If you’re going to be saying who goes to Hell, you better be sure.
However, you may purchase male or female slaves from among the foreigners who live among you. You may also purchase the children of such resident foreigners, including those who have been born in your land. You may treat them as your property, passing them on to your children as a permanent inheritance. You may treat your slaves like this, but the people of Israel, your relatives, must never be treated this way. (Leviticus 25:44-46 NLT)
pamela answers:
I assumed that passage, though there are others as well. One would have to hunt that one down to make a point and having just recently read in our daily reading of the Word, that passage I thought as much.
And so to that I will answer you thus – and this will be about as realistic an answer as any possible thing in my life or beliefs could possibly be stated and that is that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life; no man comes to the Father but by Him and… so, when Jesus came, He was and is the fulfillment of the Law, for what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son Jesus in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. That’s grace. God’s marvelous grace.
No slavery there. O, the books of John and Matthew, et al, are replete with the mercy and grace of God… in Jesus. But there is a price – yes, He paid it, but our faith is demanded if we are to receive that merciful grace of God. No slavery there, no stoning there and no mystery there. Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law – there is no way we could keep the law – oppressive and rigorous as it was and still love our neigbour as ourselves or love God with our all our heart, with all our soul and with all our mind – and still also love our neighbour as ourselves.
We are to flee immorality, we are to flee youthful lusts, we are to be followers of the cross – to live honourably – not as those who are enemies of the cross or those who do not know God or love Him. And yet, as we are to live in this world – we are to not be of it – for we are bought with a price, the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.
So, no… no slaves.
Well… maybe my washing machine, my dryer, my dishwasher, my van, lawn mower, my coffee maker, bosch and kitchenaid, and vacuum cleaner. These do work for me every day – sometimes very long and very hard working. I know you weren’t talking about these hardworking girls slaving in my kitchen and around our home, though, really, I do.
blessings, pamela
O, okay, so you’re looking for realistic. Here’s realistic for you:
Well, I believe the Bible *is* the inerrant Word of God – it contains the good, the bad, the ugly and the difficult to understand history of mankind. But regardless of what man did or didn’t do in accordance with God’s design, the Word of God is inerrant.
Yep, you are right, there is a passage instructing parents of a rebellious son who, even after chastening will not obey, to take him to the elders of the city – and the men of the city stoning that son.
I think it’s interesting that you would pick that one, for, in this day and age, we do not have such a system in place, but we do have the law and the courts and if a son is a rebellious glutton and a drunkard, well, he would face the law – parents or no.
And as far as slaves, I don’t know precisely the specific passage you are referencing or if you’re just tossing stones, but I will say that as commands go, there is *no* command to own, obtain, etc. slaves. In law, in word, in deed, and in principle, the practice is reprehensible and though you appear to be attempting to get at something, for the life of me I do not know what it would be or why, but I will say that if you are inferring I am a bigot or Christians are bigots or think owning slaves or keeping slaves is right or appropriate, you obviously do not know me or you wouldn’t even suggest either of those passages or references. But, they’re in the Bible and are a fact of human history – plain and simple – realistic as I can state it.
Taste of my own medicine? I don’t know what you mean – a taste of my own medicine… hmmm. I don’t think of it as sad that the government school is imposing its ideas about what is right and good on my life. But bcz it is attempting to do so and I am seeking to obey the Word of God, I cannot abide by the specific teachings of the government schools for our children. I didn’t say general teachings, I said specific teachings.
If you want to be specific, I will answer specific questions you might have.
sincerely, pamela
Oh and BTW I signed the petition even though I don’t have any children. I believe that in America you should have the right to teach your own children in the way that you wish. No matter how wrong you are about God.
Ouch, it’s sad when people impose their own ideas about what is “right” and “good” on your life huh? Sorry you have to go through this taste of your own medicine. Go ahead and call it following the bible all you want. But until you are able to say something realistic about why you don’t also stone your children and pick up some slaves I am going to know that even YOU don’t believe that the bible is inerrant. Sorry.