[Peace-discuss] RE:Wesley etc.

[Phil Stinard]

Hi Karen,

If you look at what Jesus said, some of it was about interpretations being 
off (e. g. dietary codes), and some of it reiterated previous teachings (e. 
g. on divorce and sexual morality).  If you are going to discard some 
teachings, then what are your standards for doing so, and why believe any of 
it?  Jesus clearly modified some of the Old Testament teachings, for 
instance where He told the Pharisees "let he who is without sin cast the 
first stone" at the adultress, but then He told the adultress, "Go and sin 
no more."  I would apply the same standard to homosexuality, speaking the 
truth in love.  As Bob said, you have to use your brain in order to 
interpret the Bible.

As for representing all Christians, I clearly said that those were my 
beliefs, and I backed them up with scriptures.  However, I'd be willing to 
wager that more than "a small percentage of all Christians" believe that the 
Bible is the inspired word of God.  And even if  that were the case, it 
wouldn't bother me.  It's better to be right than be popular.

--Phil


>From: Karen Medina <kmedina at uiuc.edu>
>Subject: Re: [Peace-discuss] RE: Wesley etc.
>To: peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net
>Message-ID: <43F77CD5.7080605 at uiuc.edu>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
>
>Phil Stinard wrote:
> > I think that one thing we need  to do when speaking about issues of good 
>and evil is to define them.
> > When I speak of good and evil, I define them in terms of what is
> > pleasing and what is displeasing to God, as revealed in the Bible.
>
>I think you will find major differences throughout the Bible including
>some very drastic contradictions. And one has to remember that we were
>getting it all wrong and that is part of the reason Jesus was sent. Many
>of Jesus' recorded actions were all about telling the interpreters of
>the Scriptures that their interpretations were off.
>
>"In many of its details, the Bible is simply wrong! Epilepsy is not
>caused by demon possession. David did not write the Psalms. The earth is
>not the center of the universe. [...the Bible's] verses have been used
>to affirm war, slavery, segregation and apartheid. It defines women as
>inferior creatures and suggests that homosexual persons be put to death."
>
>George W. Bush implies that he, through the use of the Bible, has the
>correct definitions for good and evil. He uses the Bible to justify his
>actions. He continues to have a strong backing by many churches who
>claim to interpret the Bible directly. I think he and they are very wrong.
>
>There are even contradictions in the Gospels, even so I believe the
>message of Christ was that we are to love each other, even on the
>Sabbath and even in our judging and punishing (our throwing of stones at
>sinners). If we interpret the entirety of the Scriptures with a message
>of love and compassion for each other in mind, it does help resolve some
>contradictions.
>
>And dear Phil, please remember that your fundamental interpretations of
>Christianity represents only a small percentage of all Christians. Be
>careful when you claim to represent all of us.
>
>Peace,
>-karen medina