opinions....... interesting...

[wtnhunt]

Well we all know what is to be said about opinions...

No exception when it comes to the Bible and individual interpretations. You can put together a group of all same denomination folks together and no two will share identical views. Here is my take fwiw.

We are all different and although my views may not be the same as yours yours are not necessarily anymore wrong than you may think mine are. Makes perfect sense, right?

It has always interested me how scriptures can be twisted to fit ones views. What makes ones right and another's wrong?

An example: Based on some peoples views anyone who works on a Sunday is condemned for not honoring the Sabbath. People within the same denomination may not even agree on which day actually is the Sabbath. Church we attend there are members who have made comments about those who work on Sundays, one teaches Sunday school classes to high school aged kids and my oldest daughter and I had a pretty good discussion on the topic. Probably does not help that our preacher has given sermons on that very topic with which I totally disagreed with his views. Guess with that in mind in those folks eyes many of us are already condemned regardless of what we believe or where or heart is. Some believe Jesus himself worked/performed miracles on Sunday. Would that not fall into the category of "work"? So what about hospitals keeping their doors open on Sunday? I mean come on if we are taking literally the commandments and the old testament that defies God's law for anyone to be working on Sunday(or whatever day you view as the Sabbath), right. So who makes the exceptions when the child of Christian who whole heartedly believes this ends up in the operating room on a Sunday? Do they refuse life saving treatment because it does not go along with their views, guessing the overwhelming majority would change their views. What makes that person an authority on interpreting the version of the Bible they choose to read. There is another discussion all in itself, are non kjv versions even legit? Some argument to be made about King James having been corrupt? Many in our church are using new american standard and other newer interpretations. Have to face the fact that we are relying on interpretations of men.

Safe to say we are all sinners, certainly not my place to speculate who is going where based on my interpretation of the scriptures or on the magnitude of the particular sin they comitted. The Bible does tells to be aware, but I think we are also warned about pointing the finger at others. Not always, but it does occur often that those pointing the finger are only attempting to divert attention away from themself. I cannot deny I myself have been guilty of that very flaw and I hope I can be forgiven. I know I am a sinner and am eternally thankful that my savior suffered so I could be forgiven. If someone else has done something that is not fitting with my beliefs according to the Bible then while I may acknowledge they may be in the wrong, it is probably not my place to point my finger and throw out scriptures at them. No matter how many times or how deep I read into the Bible I know I really have no business preaching to anyone else more likely I need to work on my own flaws. I have recently been on the receiving end myself of bogus charges and and that person chastising me and quoting scriptures completely off base and out of context. All I know to do is pray God forgives that person for their hypocritical ways. That is between them and who they choose to worship.

[wtnhunt]

With the recent post about tattoos in the lounge, where does that line get crossed? Any piercings? So what about my daughters who have their ears pierced, does your daughter have her ears pierced? Do you take the scripture literally word for word?

[Ravin R10 man]

~~The scripture I used was given to Isreal, to set them apart from the pagans.

that is correct, although it does not apply today, because we no longer are under Old testament Law, it becomes then a choice of conscience.

I choose not to. my choice, don't make me any better than mooky, who chooses to have one.

I did not "twist" anything. Nor did I point a finger, just stated my opinion.

it does not bother me Mooky has one, if that trips his trigger fine, nor did I call him out for having it done.

I do not regaurd mutilating your body art...sorry, my opinion..some think its cool, good for them.

same as piercings and multiple studs and rings hanging all over ones face and where ever..

I find that gross, again my opinion

I can live with ear an ear piercing, but not a dozen on each ear

[wtnhunt]

Season over and a good topic of discussion, your reply just opened the door here for what I think should be a good topic.

I understand what you are saying Martin. Just the way it sometimes comes across. Not saying you in particular, but often times people will spout out verses and make comments on these types topics that come across as judging, of course we know there is only one real judge. I guess a legitimate question I see is how does a person point out or acknowledge what they see in accordance with their views without coming across as judgemental or somehow trying to preach to others? Probably a fine line because everyone is different and while one may perceive a comment one way another may take it totally different and neither may take it the way the person who said it even meant it. If anything I know I am guilty of that myself.

On the topic of old testament law, some hold the belief that it is what it is and you take the Bible as it is old and new all or none. Old testament holds no room for any tolerance whatsoever. Some think the Bible in its entirety is a book that teaches that God offers no tolerance. Not my own view.

[Ravin R10 man]

I sometimes do not bring across in words what I am thinking...my fingers dont keep up..lol

[fly]

As a Christian I struggle with where to draw the line sometimes. Not working on the Sabbath has never been a realistic consideration - for years I worked as a RN and had to care for the sick on Sundays. However, I do wonder about The passages men interpret to mean women shouldn't be pastors / priests. There are also scriptures on divorce and marriage that men interpret one way that I have grown (through experience) to disagree with. There are some passages that no matter how I read it - it comes out one way and one way only. Paul in Romans Chapter 1 speaks about homosexuality as being a sin. Yea, I'm bringing the taboo subject up. The current social move is to accept homosexuality as evidenced by the move toward same sex marriage. Many Christians I know simply state that that chapter was written wrong, or ignore it all together. I respond by asking them - if God is all powerful and wants us to live according to His will - why would he allow us to have a guidebook that was not guiding us toward his will? I mean - He is God, and desires us to serve Him. Last I checked he doesn't speak to us out loud, but rather through the Bible. So I ask them - how are we to live according to His will if its been written wrong or interpreted in error. I believe we must strive to be close to God and the truth within the scriptures will be revealed - even when it may not be what we want. Anyway, as William stated - I don't condemn people for their interpretation as it is not my job - God has made that much clear in the scriptures.

[Ravin R10 man]

Fly, Our church is going thru Revelation, what you called out, the sin of Homosexuality/ lesb. came up with what God told one of the 7 churches...Paster did not sidestep the issue and hit it head on. He called it for what it was, Sin. Now we do not hate or call them names, as the Bible says, but are to come along side them and love them as humans and help them out of that lifestyle. It is a choice they have made, nothing more. We all are born sinners, thank you Adam & Eve. The other topic covered was churches putting these people behind a pulpit to lead. In the end as the Bible says, we will be like Sodom & Gomorrah.

This pretty much explains what we are looking at today, a long read, and I admit I have to comb through it more. But looks to be Biblicaly correct.

http://www.biblesabbath.org/bacchiocchi/endtimewickedness.html

[wtnhunt]

Good replies.

Agreed Frank, the Bible in my belief serves as a personal guide to help us get closer to God. It is not a guide to ridicule others or attempt to interpret how you wish to push off on others your own beliefs. Sadly that happens all too often. Some "believers" are nothing more than followers, a good example there was the westboro baptist "church". And yes Jesus did in my opinion from my studies teach a message of acceptance of those not like yourself, but like you I don't agree that in any way means to condone same sex marriage or homosexuality.

With regards to divorce, have kind of mixed thoughts to be honest. Two people should not have to live their lives making each other miserable, when it gets to that point, guess sometimes there is not an option. Suppose faith alone is supposed to be strong enough to pull you through, but when one side is not on the same page it could make it impossible. In the days of the Bible things were certainly different with regards to a lot of things. David had a man killed by his soldiers so he could take his wife. Polygamy, how many wives did Soloman have.... Certainly different times. With all that being said however I did make a commitment before God to take my wife through good and bad for better or worse. No doubt struggles at times would make it easy to just give up and walk away.

Will have to come back and check your link later Martin.

[fly]

In my 44 years I've attended Christian Schools, been to many Bible studies and Church services. I've read the Bible through - most more then twice so I'm familiar with the passages and positions in your link Martin. I used to be pretty hard nosed about things. I made a huge mistake and married in my 20's to an EVIL woman. I didn't know it then. However, after many years I went to Christian counseling and stayed married a lot longer than I should have because I didn't want to go against the scriptures. The woman is not a Christian though she claimed to be. Anyway, things got so bad that finally SHE divorced me. I went along with it. Was it a sin? Perhaps. However, looking back - I should not have waited that long to divorce and more so - I should not have married her in the first place. While I'm not Catholic, they got it right about attending counseling sessions PRIOR to getting married. My divorce equated to me not being so hard nosed about things. In addition I read "The Shack". I eased up a bit more after reading this book and started focusing more on the message of love and forgiveness through Christ's sacrifice. Anyway, I learned that it's easy to point the finger about things when we haven't gone through them ourselves. Once we do it may lead to a different level of understanding - at least it did for me. Like I said - I still struggle with where to draw the line sometimes - but continue to ask GOD to reveal His will to me and the ability to accept it.

[wtnhunt]

However' date=' I do wonder about The passages men interpret to mean women shouldn't be pastors / priests.[/quote']

Had a pretty interesting conversation with a Baptist preacher on that topic. He was pretty adamant in his views that women had no place preaching or ministering. I don't know. Things are not the same as in the biblical days. Women in the biblical days did not have much say in many things. Why would they regard women to be leaders?

I personally think anyone, man or woman, who is close enough with God and knows the scriptures well enough could share their views, not necessarily preach. If a woman had the same credentials as a man with theological studies I see no reason why she should be viewed in any less capability of leading a church as a pastor.

Then comes questions with the controversy about Mary Magdalene..... Been some pretty interesting programs about her place or role.

Along with that topic, the majority of Jehovah's witnesses that I have had show up at my door have all been women, matter of fact I don't think I have ever had a man witness show up, wonder why that is?

[RangerClay]

The orthodox Jews take no work on Sundays to a whole new level. We were on a trip to the burbs of New York City and the hotel we stayed at had 2 elevators. The first elevator worked just like any other elevator, push a button and go to that floor. The second elevator however would run constantly and would stop on every floor. This was so the Jews didn't have to push the buttons on Sundays which was considered work. There were many more examples like this in the hotel. We had a good chuckle but respected their faith.

[fly]

Perhaps the hospitals could provide then with mechanical ventilators so they wouldn't have to work to breathe either? LOL

William, I've had several JW come to my house but never a woman. All have been guys 20-30 years old. I have no idea why that is.

[RangerClay]

I've had several JW come to my house but never a woman. All have been guys 20-30 years old. I have no idea why that is.

If they would just get the JW's to deliver the mail we would have the postal service would be back in the red in no time. :clown:

[Ravin R10 man]

If they would just get the JW's to deliver the mail we would have the postal service would be back in the red in no time. :clown:

Ya but instead of junk mail all you would get is Watch Tower!

ROFL

Last ones that stopped back in the fall..I told them they are not following the true "God", or"Christ" of the Bible, and when I asked him why the members cant study the Bible by themselves without an elder, he did not know what to say. he did say we were not going to agree and left.

Edited February 12, 2015 by Mathews XT Man

[abrown]

Maybe you guys can help. I grew up southern baptist, and of course the pastor that I grew up under, was pretty good at explaining the bible, Hebrew, Greek... I was seriously considering the ministery, went with wildlife. Later joined the military, when they found out I didn't do tobacco, of course to me it was a no brainer, my grandfather passed away because of it, and I didn't drink although I do now, as in a mixed drink MAYBE once or twice a month, I've seen what it can do when abused also. I didn't cuss, which that's CHANGED, but all in all the same. I did join the Marines after 9/11 hit. Done two tours to Iraq, it's kind of hard to explain how you can get SO desensitized to violence to take another human's life and not think twice. Like taking out the trash. Yeah, there's no regret, cause you know with every well placed shot your saving lives, and that the things the muslim world allows is WRONG, no exceptions! Long story short, the things people do in the name of religion makes me sick. I know, I know, religion does not save, it's knowing where we stand with God, and what Christ has done for us, and accepting him, and his gift, bottom line. Muslim extremist = Muslim beliefs, how is it different that Christians squabbling over interpretation of scriptures when we know the bottom line, NO exceptions. I know there's a BIG difference, Protestants are not beheading people! Just the underlining of the whole thing. It does say, in the end, EVERY knee will bow, and EVERY head will confess! BTW, my faith in Christ is strong, it's just I've lost alot with people!

[Ravin R10 man]

this is a MUST listen, no Political Correctness here;

Edited February 18, 2015 by Mathews XT Man

[wtnhunt]

Long story short, the things people do in the name of religion makes me sick....... BTW, my faith in Christ is strong, it's just I've lost alot with people!

Not sure what you are asking but absolutely agree here. History with regards to man slaughtering man and often innocent women and children in the name of religion has taken place going way back.

Easy to lose faith in people in this world we live in, no doubt there are genuinely good people in this world who put others first with no hesitation but they are imho becoming rarer and rarer.

[abrown]

I was hoping it was not just me, and was wondering if other people felt the same way. I understand where you are coming from too. I read the post earlier, and sometimes wonder if Christians don't spend more time pointing fingers at each other than worrying about spreading the word, and showing Christ through themself! I was blessed to end up with a job in the wildlife profession, but alot of my job I do have to interact with the public. I find that attitude is everything, and how you approach people. 80% of the time I can gain compliance by simply showing respect and talking to the individuals, the other 20%, well you can't fix stupid, but you can put a $ amout on it, and the courts will sort it out. Understanding and tolerance!

Edited February 18, 2015 by abrown