Came across this thread on Darrell Bock's blog. It was originally about a trip to Taiwan, but has morphed into a discussion about homosexuality and the Bible. One of the participants, Lynn, has even written an e-book on the subject.
It makes for an interesting read and a caution about what happens when we get our view and beliefs from somewhere other than the Bible. Anyone can fall into this trap, and that is why we must constantly test everything against Scripture. Our responsibility as believers is to make every effort to understand what the Bible says and then conform our lives to that teaching.
I would venture to say that our main problem can be safely summed up in this quote by Mark Twain. "It ain't the parts of the Bible that I can't understand that bother me, it is the parts that I do understand." It bothers us because it goes against our nature. But it is vital that we let the Spirit convict us and do His work.
3 comments:
Matt, I just wanted to note that my posts here in this discussion, and my ebook, are in fact based on the Bible. There are almost seventy Bible references cited in my book. They show the biblical proof that the laws of the Bible are not to be taken in a rigid and non-discerning manner, and believers are not under the Law of Moses, nor are we commanded by God to live by all of the instructions of the apostle Paul in the New Testament, nor do we. These references are not simply a list of laws that have no place in the Christian faith today, or it would be many more references than that--they are passages that speak about liberty, reason, the law of love and other biblical truths. Liberty is a theme of the New Testament.
You are saying that my writings and my beliefs are not from the Bible, but I would be willing to bet that you don't live by what you are saying about the Bible.
The law of God, in its entirety, is based on love and all that defines love. This belief is indeed from the Bible, and specifically stated this way. A shallow reading of God's Word does not lead to the truth. It is possible that you have not answered the
"valid reasons for divorce that are not part of the biblical criteria for acceptable divorce" question, because your answer might have to reflect an understanding that was not taken directly and specifically from the Bible. I'll give you a chance though, and I look forward to your commentary on this.
I hope you will take this in a good spirit, because it is only about the love of God for people, and it is intended in a good spirit, in Christ. There is more examining to do and seeking of His heart and His will. Discernment and reason is from the Bible, and God loves all of His children dearly. I'll talk to you again.
Lynn
Lynn: Much of what you say has a basis in your reading of the Bible. I'll grant that. But as I mentioned in the comment thread on Dr. Bock's blog, your view of God doesn't only come from the Bible. You've taken things that God says are evil and called them good. You pick and choose certain "truths" in the Bible to emphasize - those "truths" which fit with your worldview.
I was hoping you'd stop by here. You are always welcome.
My greater hope is that you will search the Scriptures, and try to draw your ideas from it, instead of deciding how God is and then finding Biblical support for your ideas.
P.S. If you send me your book and I'll be happy to respond to it, time permitting.
Matt, your third paragraph here is a good one. My faith in God, and knowledge of Him, will not be discussed in response to that statement.
As to the first paragraph, laws of Scripture (including the instructions of Paul) are subject to principles of the new covenant. My beliefs take all of Scripture into consideration.
As to the valid reasons for divorce...are you saying that "abuse" does not constitute legitimate grounds for divorce in your understanding of the God of Scripture? Jesus gave exactly one legitimate basis for divorce, and He explicitly stated that anything other than "infidelity" constitutes "adultery" if remarriage takes place. I believe He intends for people to think reasonably, as His children who are born from Him and know Him, and understand how laws can be rigid and unreasonable in some situations. He also explains this truth in Matthew 12. Where is the compassion of Jesus in your beliefs on this?
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