The Neverending Story (The Christian Chronicles)

Associated Press ^ | 3/24/01

[malakhi]

The Neverending Story
An ongoing debate on Scripture, Tradition, History and Interpretation.

Statesmen may plan and speculate for liberty, but it is religion and morality alone which can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand. The only foundation of a free constitution is pure virtue. - John Adams

Previous Thread

[Mr. Lucky]

OK. By extropolating that change back to the time of the birth of Christ, the view of marriage as something other than a cheap way to get laid is put into its historical context.

Have a good weekend, by the way.

[RobbyS]

I find--found-- the same tone in the KJV, which is not based on any Latin translation.

[RobbyS]

The devil knows that his will is opposed to God. So to him disorder is order, and evil is good.

[RobbyS]

No one says that we are incapable of free choice, but the old saying goes: the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.

[RobbyS]

A bike can be ridden as safely as a car. One just must bear in mind that the bike cannot be driven safely in certain places. I would never drive one on I-35 through Dallas. for instance, even in good weather. I would never drive one on wet roads in heavy traffic.

[Havoc]

2001 xl1200c Sportster. New, no miles. Blue and silver. Nice; but, it didn't work out. Looks like I'll be waiting till my lawyer gets done with 'em.

[Invincibly Ignorant]

You do believe pagan fairy tales. You think I worship an non-existent goddess, for example.

I don't believe its a fairy tail, hence; ridicule.

This is a fact. You are transparent.

This is a fact. If you think I'm transparent you are a moron.

The question is still unanswered how someone who was aware of her Immaculate Conception would logically know that she was to give birth without a father.

The question is still unanswered how if both Joseph and Mary knew before they were married that Mary would be a virgin her whole life, why would Joseph doubt what was in her was conceived of the Holy Spirit. After all. Mary had to know she was immaculatly conceived and would have shared it with her fiance. Wasn't Mary's incredible goodness on display during their courtship. There would be no reason for Joseph to doubt. I give you that in a normal situation he would have had doubt but as you've pointed out to me on many occasions, this is not a normal situation. Can't have it both ways.

As is how Joseph's reaction to this betrays his intention to have sex with Mary as soon as possible.

Never said he wanted to have it right away. Quit lying.

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Relax, it oughta be liberating for all of us. :-)

BigMack

[RobbyS]

If Joseph was an old man and Mary was a very young heiress, then that would make a significant difference in their relationship, right? But, really, I find the speculation useless. Focus on the holiness of both Mary and Joseph. This is what stikes me as I read the birth naratives. Did Mary know about her immaculate conception? Did Jesus know he was God?

[JHavard]

The Man of Virtues Has a Vice

Conservative activist Bill Bennett has wagered millions in Las Vegas and Atlantic City casinos during the past decade

The full story on the Drudge Report.

Can you believe this? It looks like we're still looking for a few good men, huh

Is gambling wrong in and of its self? If you make 5 million a year and loose 1 million at the casino every year, is that a sin?

What is wrong about gambling?

JH $$$$$$

[Quester]

As Rosanne Rosannadanna used to say ...

It's always something ...

If it's not one thing, it's another ...

[drstevej]

***If you make 5 million a year and loose 1 million at the casino every year, is that a sin?***

Are you interested in some Enron stock, CHEAP ???

[drstevej]

 "It just goes to show you,

It's always something."

[JHavard]

It's always something ...

If it's not one thing, it's another ...

Heavy mannnn!

JH :-)

[Invincibly Ignorant]

Is gambling wrong in and of its self?

That's between him and the Lord but, sadly, he is guilty of not abstaining from the appearance of evil.

[CindyDawg]

Well the border just kind of blends here. A lot of people were born in Mexico or have family there so I guess they have the pride of both countries. Charro Days are very popular here too. What really irks me though is to see the Mexican flag flying right beside the US and Texas ones. We have several chain banks that are doing this.

[DouglasKC]

Is gambling wrong in and of its self? If you make 5 million a year and loose 1 million at the casino every year, is that a sin?
What is wrong about gambling?

I think there's no question that gambling for money is a sin. It's really just a way to indulge in the sins of lust and greed.

We have quite a few Indian casinos around here and I used to enjoy going to them. I never really lost a huge amount of money and always limited my losses, but the last time I went was a couple of months before I was baptized. I could see the evil that permeates there. Old people with oxygen tanks dragging them in so they could gamble. Drunks, smokers, etc. It was so...sad and pathetic.

This sin has become normalized in our society now. Satan has been effective in making these things mainstream. Las Vegas was "sin city". Now every state just about wants their own sin city.

As far as Bill Bennett goes he deserves what he gets. If he wants to present himself as a virtuous man, then he sure as heck better lead a virtuous life or he's no better than a pharisee. He needs to recognize that his behavior is a sin and repent of it.

[drstevej]

***I think there's no question that gambling for money is a sin. It's really just a way to indulge in the sins of lust and greed.***

Ever owned any stock?

Compulsive risk taking is a sin (lack of self control), but is all risk taking (financially) a sin?

This week I refinanced our home. I locked in at 4.75% (15 YR fixed). I am gambling that the rates will not go lower.

[DouglasKC]

Ever owned any stock?
Compulsive risk taking is a sin (lack of self control), but is all risk taking (financially) a sin?
This week I refinanced our home. I locked in at 4.75% (15 YR fixed). I am gambling that the rates will not go lower.

Good questions. I was talking about smaller context as it pertains to what we traditionally think of as gambling for money.

I think that there are many things "wrong" with the way our society operates but are tolerated by God because he realizes we live in secular societies that are not physically ruled by him today. For example charging interest on loans is clearly against biblical principles and won't be part of God's future kingdom on earth. In the same way financial transactions (and possibly money itself) that involve risk taking are not neccassarily "right" but are tolerated. In a world physically governed by Christ there will be no need to take any kind of finanicial risk...it's an example of man doing his own thing.

In the case of casino and organized gambling though it's an entirely different story. You have an entire industry built upon greed and lust...the lure of getting something for nothing. Acquiring wealth for the sole purpose of acquiring wealth. I see a difference.

You seem to be making the case that unless a sin is out of control it's not a sin. For example, if I shoplift something once from a store it's not a sin, but if I do it habitually it is?

[drstevej]

Taking financial risk is not inherently sinful (in distinction to shoplifting which is theft). Habitual shoplifting is a combination of the sin of theft with the sin of lack of self control.

Eating is not sin, gluttony is. Financial risk motivated by greed or lack of self control is sinful. Financial risk when there are no other sinful issues involved is not sin.

Your posts raises questions:

[1] Have you ever owned stock? If financial risk is sinful, owning stock (or any other asset that potentially increases or decreases) is sin.

[2] Have you ever had a mortgage? If interest is sinful having a mortgage would be supporting sin. Why settle, as a Christian, for something you believe God merely "tolerates?"