Posted on 02/25/2015 11:50:17 AM PST by NYer
I am truly humbled. I'm not sure what to say to that. Thank you for the encouragement. I don't maintain a ping list... I just post when I have time and something catches my eye. With four kids and my own business... that can be a bit sporadic. I have linked to some of my favorite discussions on my webpage. May God bless you.
I would be interested in his understanding of the immaculate conception and perpetual virginity of Mary from the catholic perspective when analyzed by the Greek.
Romans 2 would tend to disagree with your interpretation.
Romans 2:5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
11 For there is no respect of persons with God.
And He literally had to die on a tree. His Words are Spirit but the physical world has role to play in God's plan.
Indeed.
That's very easy. James and Paul do not contradict each other. Keep in mind that one verse cannot stand alone in contradiction to many other passages in scripture. James only focuses more heavily on the results of true faith. True faith with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit will naturally produce the right actions. Notice results of true faith. The actions are simply proof of true faith. It still remains that it's the faith that resulted in salvation with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The right deeds followed that true faith and were the result of it. The Greek word in your verse 22 means to complete as in finishing a race. In other words the "win" at the end of the race was the result of running the race.
Paul clearly understood that by focusing on true faith in Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit right deeds would naturally follow. Those who are telling Christ that they cast out demons etc were doing it of their own volition for their own glory or hope for reward. Those who were saved and asked Jesus when they had done those things to Him didn't even realize because it was a natural act due to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Nope. Just answered that.
The problem with that is, if you think Jesus meant we must literally and physically eat his body, then you must always take things literally. Who gets to choose? Like metmom asks, have you plucked out your eyes lately? He said he was the door. I don't think he was made of wood with a metal handle. He said he was the Good Shepard, but I don't think his followers get sheared for their wool. He is the bright and morning star, but I don't think he shines in the sky at night. He is the Lily of the Valley, but I don't think he is growing in the ground. He is the Alpha and the Omega, but I don't think he is letters on a piece of paper. Where do we draw the line between literal and figurative? BTW, I agree with your tag line. There is a great falling away, and it is happening right before our eyes. Truer words were never spoken.
James is broadly talking about our Christian walk and our faith manifest in our works. What you have to see in the difference in the focus of the two is that James points out that we are not saved by faith alone but rather our faith shown through our works. Note that there is an indivisible physical element of this faith walk that too many Protestants deny.
” This thread isn’t trashing anybody but exploring matters of faith. “
So this excuse tortures the Lords prayer even worse than the specious argument about Protestants doing the same.
In essence your argument here is: “I’m not trespassing, I’m exploring, so I don’t need you to forgive me, and so I don’t have to forgive you”
It’s like explaining rape as “exploring sexuality” while the one getting raped may have a different opinion about it.
This Protestant forgives you anyway. But really this excuse for “exploration” should be repudiated by Catholics and Protestants together.
Says who? You?
Who gets to choose?
How about the Pillar and Bulwark of the Truth... The Church.
Like metmom asks, have you plucked out your eyes lately?
Like pgyanke asks, where were we commanded to pluck out our eyes? Sure, there was the suggestion that we might choose that course of action as a solution to our sinfulness... but it wasn't a direct command.
He said he was the door. I don't think he was made of wood with a metal handle.
You define the term too narrowly: Door is also defined "any means of approach, admittance, or access:" Seems to fit to me.
He said he was the Good Shepard, but I don't think his followers get sheared for their wool.
Again, too narrow a definition: I am gladly of his fold and see no insult in him calling me his sheep. Baaah.
He is the bright and morning star, but I don't think he shines in the sky at night. He is the Lily of the Valley, but I don't think he is growing in the ground. He is the Alpha and the Omega, but I don't think he is letters on a piece of paper.
You are far to narrow in your interpretations all around. He is the Light in the darkness and the rare flower among thorns. He is beginning and end, not just a jot or tiddle.
Look, there are metaphors in the Bible, yes. But that doesn't make everything metaphor. There are direct exhortations also that demand attention. Jesus used metaphor to explain our relationship to him. He is the vine and I am a branch of His. This explains how we can be a separate individual and yet still part of Him. However, there is only one place in all of Scripture where Jesus says, "This is Me." ... and it wasn't while holding Scripture (which He held often). It was only when He took the bread and fulfilled the Jewish Passover which was to be always celebrated in all times. Do you still celebrate it? We do. It's the Mass. What Jesus said... is.
For what?
People like to use that but it's not true. Paul distinctly uses "works of the law" when he means "works of the law". In Romans 11:6 does not use "works of the law". Also in Ephesians he again uses works so no one could boast.
Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
He is clearly stating that what man does is not how he gets saved. It's "by grace through faith". He said "not from yourselves. In other words not something you do.
But we have an Advocate in Christ Jesus.
I think I can agree with pgyanke on this one guys. I agree that so far on this, at least with him, it has been “This thread isnt trashing anybody but exploring matters of faith”. I’m going to give him this one.
Is this a misquote?
Actually in the greek, pluck out is in the imperative....the mood of command.
Now, do we believe Jesus literally meant for us to do this?
No, else there would be a lot of maimed Christians.
It is ironic that you are using your own personal interpretation of Scripture in these passages to fit your own need.
I think you recognize Jesus is using a parable to illustrate a point as He often did.
Now, if you keep John 6 in context, you will see He calls Himself the bread of life. A parable if you will. There are admonitions to believe. This is real...it is how we come to faith...through believing in him. It is how you "eat the flesh" and "drink the blood".
No where does this passage suggest the catholic belief of transubstantiation where the bread and wind become the actual flesh and blood.
If we take this literally, then the disciples should have been literally eating Him right there on the spot. that they didn't is telling. They understood what He was saying.
Indeed.
That sir, may be the only thing that you and I will EVER agree on, and I am talking about spiritual issues. We may be both against Obama, pro life, pro 2nd amendment, but beyond that, on spiritual issues, we are just going to have to agree to disagree. 😄
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