Posted on 11/29/2005 5:56:11 AM PST by NYer
We are sinners whether we sin or not. It's the nature that we inherited from Adam and Eve. Even after one recieves Jesus as Savior and Lord (becomes saved) one is still a sinner, Just a forgiven sinner.
However, having an unnatural temptation does not make you a pervert. Acting on it does. Having a temptation to murder someone does not make you a murderer, acting on it does. Havinga tempation to steal does not make you a thief, acting on it does. These 'gay' priests who are celibate and who do not identify themselves as 'gay' are not sinning that way.
Aye, and a good start it is!
I disagree. Your rather elliptical definitions aside, I believe that we are born with an original sin and are in need of salvation. We are sinners because we sin, we sin because of a sinful nature inherited through Adam and Eve.
...having an unnatural temptation does not make you a pervert. Acting on it does. Having a temptation to murder someone does not make you a murderer, acting on it does. Havinga tempation to steal does not make you a thief, acting on it does.
Temptation can be a slippery concept as well. If an unattractive woman were to attempt to seduce me would I have been therefore tempted? Christ talks about merely lusting as equivalent to adultery even though we do not act on it. Christ also, so far as I can tell, never created a dichotomy between what a person does and who they are. It just seems like a strange pretzel logic that today's Christians indulge in.
you->I disagree. Your rather elliptical definitions aside, I believe that we are born with an original sin and are in need of salvation. We are sinners because we sin, we sin because of a sinful nature inherited through Adam and Eve.
Let me clarify my statement. We are sinners whether we commit a specific sin or not. We agree that we have a sin nature and need salvation. We agree that we are sinners because we sin. Now, is it possibile for someone to go through a single day without sinning? I do not believe it is. We are fallen creations and while we live on this earth we still struggle with our sin nature. Do you drive 55 1/2 MPH in a 55 MPH zone? You've sinned. Have you been angry without just cause. You've sinned. Have you been unforgiving? etc etc etc. If we could go without sinning we wouldn't need Salvation. There is only one perfect person. Jesus the Christ. The rest of us are sinners.
If an unattractive woman were to attempt to seduce me would I have been therefore tempted?
depends how you reacted to her attempt at seduction. Did you find the idea with some merit or did the very thought turn your stomach?
Going further, if you found the idea with merit (tempting) did you entertain it or did you immediately turn away from it. That is, did you consider giving into the temptation or did you fight against it.
Christ also, so far as I can tell, never created a dichotomy between what a person does and who they are.
Romans chapter 7 discusses this very thing. We are dead to the law in our spirit, saved and washed clean of our sin, yet we still sin. Jesus has separated us from what we do.
Further, Hebrews 4:14-15 says that Jesus was tempted in all ways just like we are yet he did not sin. Being tempted is not sin, giving into that temptation (whether in mind or in body) is sin.
It just seems like a strange pretzel logic that today's Christians indulge in.
Totally biblical.
I have a feeling that those leaving have been put on notice by their bishops who have been put on notice by the Vatican to resign.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.