Replies

Okay. Specifically, why not post the text of those two parables and then discuss how they square (or not) with you political and religious philosophies.

Well, okay, but this could get long and might be better served on the Religion forum.

First the Parable, then the explanation, then whether it squares with my political and religious philosophies.

Wheat and Tares

Matthew 13:24-30 ¶ Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:

But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.

But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.

So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?

He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?

But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.

Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

Explanation of parable

Matthew 13:37-43 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;

The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked [one];

The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.

As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.

The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;

And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Comparison to my religious and political philosophies

The good seed is the Gospel of Christ...matches

No mention of spreading democratic republic....matches

Those that don't accept the gospel of Christ will face destruction....matches

Those that accept the gospel of Christ will see the Kingdom of heaven....matches

Now, before you jump to your "tares had no choice to be tares" argument, you need to understand the context of this parable to the whole chapter of Matthew 13 and the rest of the gospel of Christ. (This get's into the discussion of Predestination/elect, which I'm willing to do, but not necessary for a political thread.)

Jesus used multiple parables to illustrate different aspects of what the kingdom of Heaven is like. It was explaining the infinite to the finite human mind. They weren't used as a stand alone explanation of all doctrines.

Canaanite woman

(I think this is what you are referencing)

Matthew 15:22-28 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, [thou] Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.

But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.

But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
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Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.

But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast [it] to dogs.

And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.

Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great [is] thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

Notice that Jesus's original purpose was to the "house of Israel." This is understood that she was a Gentile or non-Jew. However, her faith is recognized and her daughter is healed.

I don't see how you can relate this to electing Rudy. If your argument is that the gospel of Jesus is only for some, then that is defeated in not only in the original verses but also in other verses. Such as...

Romans 9:6-8 ¶ Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they [are] not all Israel, which are of Israel:

Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, [are they] all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.

That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these [are] not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.

Who are the children of the promise?

Romans 4:13-14 ¶ For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, [was] not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

For if they which are of the law [be] heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:

Those who accept Jesus through faith. And that my friend is available to ALL, which is the primary message of Christians.

Mark 16:15-16 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

That's a eternal message for everyone.

I see no contradiction to my religious or political philosophies.

Sincerely