tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112439593032667008.post2592108364023818171..comments2023-04-22T12:31:37.714-07:00Comments on Blogging the Bible: January 27Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15063678082377147197noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112439593032667008.post-91728366343320907102012-01-27T05:11:12.792-08:002012-01-27T05:11:12.792-08:002012 Thoughts:
I will first respond to my 2010 ob...2012 Thoughts:<br /><br />I will first respond to my 2010 observations on my penchant for picking and choosing which words to take literally. It does seem that his admonitions toward hatred and self-mutilation are clearly intended to be hyperbolic, mainly because they outright contradict basic tenets of Scripture. For one, we are supposed to love people, not hate them. And also, Jesus and Paul both clearly teach us that we sin b/c of what's in our hearts, not because of outward things like specific body parts. On the contrary, there is no indication that the Sermon on the Mount is intended as overstatement. (In fact, that's what makes it so confusing...because parts like, "Be perfect," SEEM like overstatement, and yet, Jesus delivers the whole thing straight.)Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15063678082377147197noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112439593032667008.post-28089867353547089832010-01-28T17:00:15.283-08:002010-01-28T17:00:15.283-08:00Becky,
Whew. I have chewed on your thoughts for ...Becky,<br /><br />Whew. I have chewed on your thoughts for awhile today. The concepts are so...out there, I guess, and yet they make sense in the context of the verse. The main thought I have is that Jesus' words make the MOST sense in light of one, unified church. Like, um, the Catholic church. But we revolted from that church (for good reason, I think) and broke off into so, so, SO many other churches. And all these churches bind and loose different things, and even individuals WITHIN the churches bind and loose different things.<br /><br />So...that all sounds like heaven's rules are weird and relative:). I am open to the idea of some degree of relativity in morality (Romans 14 is the most post-modern thing I've ever read, and I've read Waiting for Godot:).) But my mind still hasn't quite wrapped itself around the idea.<br /><br />I definitely think that you are on to something, though, and you have given me a lot to think about. So thanks!Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15063678082377147197noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112439593032667008.post-57504175535632504782010-01-27T20:58:14.092-08:002010-01-27T20:58:14.092-08:00Allow me to speculate spontaneously on binding and...Allow me to speculate spontaneously on binding and loosing. Maybe by writing it out, I'll come up with something that makes sense...<br /><br />My version of Matthew 18:18 says, "I tell you this: Whatever you prohibit on earth is prohibited in heaven, and whatever you allow on earth is allowed in heaven." When I first read this, I thought it might have to do with the verse that says, "whatever is not done in faith is sin," the converse of which would be something like, "whatever <i>is</i> done in faith is <i>not</i> sin." Now, common sense says that there could be plenty of things done "in faith" that could be sin, so I don't think that's quite right. But, if we are judged in the manner that we judge, there does seem to be some kind of a connection between how strict or lax our personal standards are on earth and how they are in heaven (for each of us personally). Still, obviously, we can't all just do whatever we want and assume that "heaven" will be okay with it. (Right?)<br /><br />Looking at verse 18 in context (looking at verses 15 through 17), it seems that "the church" (the "keys" to which were given to Peter) is the final authority on the rightness or wrongness of people in personal disputes (at least). If the church says that someone is in the wrong, then God respects that decision and treats the person accordingly. Or, if the church decides that the person is off the hook, God respects that too. Again, "[w]hatever you [people in the church?] prohibit on earth is prohibited in heaven, and whatever you allow on earth is allowed in heaven."<br /><br />In the same way (to paraphrase verses 19 and 20), if any group of us in the church decides on something we want from God, God will do it because He is right there with us anyway. (I know this is supposed to be encouraging, but it makes me think, "Hey! I thought God was always with me even when I am by myself. Is He not, then?")<br /><br />This line of thinking (the decisions of people in the church being tied to what goes on in heaven) makes sense in light of the verse on how things will be done according to our faith. God will do ANYTHING for us as long as we truly believe. (I have a hard time with this, though, because I'm sure that some people ask for things that are "bad." What happens then?)<br /><br />So, taking this a step further, if the church (whether in the form of individual congregations or the worldwide, "Catholic" church) comes up with a set of rules, are all of us who claim to be members of the church bound by those rules (because what the church binds is bound in heaven)? That would seem to make sense from these verses, but that doesn't completely seem to jive with Jesus' and Paul's sentiments on legalism. The law is written on our hearts now, right? We are not to be like the Pharisees who completely missed the point of the law. I mean, the Pharisees (who were the Jewish equivalent of our church leaders now) were scolded for imposing their laws on others. Still, I wonder if Jesus knew that we humans <i>need</i> rules in order to function sanely, so he entrusted the church with forming its own rules that God would enforce.<br /><br />I don't know. In any case, it does seem that God gives us leeway to decide moral issues for ourselves. We just have to be consistent. (I'm sure there's more to it than this, but I do feel like I'm starting to understand. Thinking "out loud" like this helps...)beksterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15724637942561747185noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112439593032667008.post-3027334440418192022010-01-27T18:32:03.133-08:002010-01-27T18:32:03.133-08:00Ann, I hadn't thought of the woman caught in a...Ann, I hadn't thought of the woman caught in adultery. And now, for that manner, it occurs to me that Jesus forgives the sins of several of the sick and lame brought to him, none of whom asked him for forgiveness. <br /><br />Good! That settles it:). Like I said, that all sounded wrong, but I didn't really understand Jesus' admonition about treating people like a pagan or a tax collector. Though I must say, Jesus treats pagans and tax collectors pretty well, so...:)Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15063678082377147197noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112439593032667008.post-10666399662592084972010-01-27T16:09:51.035-08:002010-01-27T16:09:51.035-08:00about matthew...
i think about the adultress- she...about matthew...<br /><br />i think about the adultress- she didn't ask for forgiveness, did she? jesus did tell her to go and sin no more, but she didn't ask or deserve, and yet she got it.<br /><br />i also think forgiveness is about us, not the other person...<br /><br />but when we harden our hearts against forgiveness, then no wonder we aren't forgiven- we're dealing with pride, anger, resentment, judgemental attitude...yuck.<br /><br />is it easy to forgive? no. most of the time it's a process, when it probably shouldn't be. thankfully God sees us covered in jesus' blood. that's how i've gotta try to see others. i didn't deserve forgiveness, but thankfully i got it.<br /><br />and repent versus forgive- hhhmmm, is there a difference? i mean, to repent means to acknowledge your wrong doing. if someone will not acknowledge their wrong, then is jesus saying we should not become companions with that person? i'm not sure he's saying to not forgive them...just not to associate with them? maybe? although jesus was always associating with people who didn't always acknowledge their wrongs...i mean, hey, sometimes i don't even acknowledge my wrongs!!<br /><br />forgive. always. how's that? :o)Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07856221825880891809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112439593032667008.post-58298616340713813232010-01-27T09:59:07.167-08:002010-01-27T09:59:07.167-08:00One thing that has been interesting to me is how t...One thing that has been interesting to me is how the narrative changed ..I can see a sense of personal recall, rather than the "handed down" version of the stories of Abraham and Isaac..I can feel the difference in the writing as Moses moves from telling someone elses' story to his own. <br /><br />He is so blunt and honest about how he was feeling - often afraid, unsure, insecure. He is frank about how God's anger "burned against" him. Writing your own story it would be tempting to make yourself shine a little more. Not so much with Moses - I think it must have alot to do with his perspective looking back.Once he wrote the story he was past that point to a large degree. Interesting.<br /><br />Also, I find it interesting that God told Moses on the front side that his signs would be rejected and culminate in death of Pharoah's firstborn. This part always confuses me..and I never really have come to terms with it totally. The "hardening of the heart" thing is rough for my "God is love" psyche. <br /><br />I think that at one point I was able to accept the fact that his heart was already hard, he had already decided and the stage for rejection was already set. God for some reason pushed that to the next level. But, how is that okay in light of the free will thing? I dont know. Perhaps its simply a matter of his ways vs. my way. Hmm.<br /><br />One thing I considered was that this was a fresh experience for the Israelites to have to get to know God again. It seems they had forgotten him to a point, being surprised when Aaron and Moses told them God was watching. I wonder if they needed a fresh experience.<br /><br />But ..I am getting ahead of myself!<br /><br />Okay ..gotta leave it there for now ..my own little rebellious Israelites are needing attention :)Courtneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10842076898324199994noreply@blogger.com