tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112439593032667008.post7611139951598870087..comments2023-04-22T12:31:37.714-07:00Comments on Blogging the Bible: April 27Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15063678082377147197noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112439593032667008.post-37320685459913568862010-05-04T05:15:51.796-07:002010-05-04T05:15:51.796-07:00As a Christian, the ambiguity of the Bible is defi...As a Christian, the ambiguity of the Bible is definitely problematic. It's so true that the text does NOT overtly condemn every evil action the way we want it to. Frankly, I'm not sure that the author of Judges knew what to think one way or the other. As Christians, we just have to take the sum total of God's teaching in the Bible to come to our own conclusions about whether a particular action was right or wrong. It would be so great if God actually told us, and even if He did that in life. I would love if He would verbally distance Himself from the crazy things that Pat Robertson says, but He doesn't.<br /><br />One thing that the Bible shows me is that God is a God who clearly cultivates mystery. I was struck by how He purposefully kept the Jews at arm's length during the giving of the Law, only allowing Moses to come up to the mountain. And even Jesus, who in many ways came to "bridge the gap," so to speak, speaks often in esoteric parables. Isaiah 55 reminds us that our ways are not God's ways, and our thoughts are not God's thoughts. Clearly, God has a purpose in not communicating all knowledge to us.<br /><br />Is that convenient? No, it is not convenient at all. I would love if God told us everything. My brain wants answers to everything, and generally believes that if I cannot find the answers, then the answers must not exist. When I think like that, though, I hold my brain up as the highest force in the universe. And even to my puny logic, I have to admit that the chances that, in this humongous universe, there is a GREATER force than my brain, that there are deeper plans than I can grasp, is pretty high. So I choose to have faith, and to pursue God with all my heart. <br /><br />I hope, Erika, that this does not come off as defensive. Typing to strangers is so tricky, you know? Who knows what tone I am conveying? I very much don't want to come across as hostile or defensive b/c I am feeling no such thing. As you can probably tell by this blog, I type these things in part to work through them myself. I learn best while communicating, I think. Regardless, thanks for checking out my blog, and I will try not to write a novel whenever you comment:).Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15063678082377147197noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112439593032667008.post-40772314544181012852010-05-03T22:51:05.114-07:002010-05-03T22:51:05.114-07:00I appreciate that you see how horrible some of the...I appreciate that you see how horrible some of the things in the Bible are. Maybe eventually you will open your eyes and see that the Bible does not condemn horrors such as Gideon's revenge anymore than it condemns so called necessary evils.Erikahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16846371347200009801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112439593032667008.post-38465387502621260862010-04-27T20:54:35.619-07:002010-04-27T20:54:35.619-07:00Time in an interesting thing ..as a student of his...Time in an interesting thing ..as a student of history I am amazed with how it cycles in and out and really doesnt seem to change a whole lot! The "green" time while Jesus was around, was mild compared to the "dry" time coming for the Christians in Rome and in around the areas where the first century church is going to grow. <br /><br />The violence of that that time was comparable to that of the OT ...look at Roman history as they moved across the land slaughtering people to conquer land for their empire that will eventually fall. <br /><br />Its so bloody ..I am glad I dont live in that time period! I keep thinking of all those peoples that the Israelites were swooping in and destroying. Their were babies and women killed ..not awesome. But, apparently still all part of God's plan. <br /><br />Again, thanks God taht you planted me in this time and this place! :)<br /><br />I liked the underdogness of Gideon's story too. One thing I was really struck by in regards to him was how wimpy he was initially...he was so fearful of the people around him, pressing God to convince him over and over again that He would really be there. And, I love how God took that small group's chance to brag away - he didnt want there to be any doubt who was in charge here. So cool.<br /><br />Okay ..that was kinna random and all over the place but good stuff! :)Courtneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10842076898324199994noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9112439593032667008.post-32536308796171452832010-04-27T19:55:23.754-07:002010-04-27T19:55:23.754-07:00N.T. comment: "When the tree is green"....N.T. comment: "When the tree is green". I kept reading over that and decided that it meant that while Jesus was alive on the earth. If they didn't believe in Him face to face with all the miracles and wonders, then how would they believe without Him? And how would people live without Him in their lives. So, maybe we are saying the same thing here. Which leads me to thinking that the O.T. does good to remind us of what happens to nations that forget God and gives me hope that they turn back to Him after they have suffered their consequences and recognize them as such. What a cycle!Gagahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09747145949566817043noreply@blogger.com