The Sacred Cow Barbecue: Part III

My friend (that was weird to type) Rhonda sent me this article and the writer (Kristi) was kind enough to let me copy and paste it.

As always my comments appear in italics. (sept for the Bible verses at the end)

Who's Right?

During the course of my life, I've interacted with many Christians of various persuasions. There have been the "conservative" and the "liberal" and anywhere inbetween. I'd say that a great percentage of the Christians I know believe in the Bible as God's Word and hold to basic orthodox beliefs about God the Trinity, the atonement, the second coming, the final judgment, etc. BUT I have become increasingly aware of the great differences in other areas, small or great.

Let's take group A. They love God, they love the Bible, and they study it diligently that they may apply it to their lives. They are probably also influenced by other sources, such as denominational precedents, books, teachers, the culture, etc.

Let's take group B. They love God, they love the Bible, and they study it diligently that they may apply it to their lives. They are probably also influenced by other sources, such as denominational precedents, books, teachers, the culture, etc.

Looks like they should be in unity, right? Wrong. Between groups A and B (and even individuals within those groups) you can be sure to find differences of belief in areas such as:
-Eternal security
-Women's attire (including pants, jewelry, and head coverings)
-Women's role in society and the church
-Music
-Dancing
-Sabbath keeping
-When the Tribulation will be
-Alcohol consumption
-Courtship/dating
-Education
-Food
-"Family planning"
-Probably more that I can't think of at present

Some may be neutral on one subject because they really don't consider it important or it doesn't affect them, while others will strongly argue their position one way or the other, even giving Scriptures to support it. On either side of an argument, you can find someone who is dogmatic and carnal, and you can find someone who is loving and spiritual.

I wonder what a new believer thinks when they start seeing all this division in the church. Granted, even in New Testament times there appear to have been disagreements about certain subjects (like eating meat offered to idols). But I wonder if there is more dichotomy now than ever. Of course I don't know. Is it a reflection of the end times or that the world has crept so much into the church? Has the culture affected the church more than the church has affected the culture? Can we always know the exact right or wrong on an issue? Does what I believe as right make every opposing view wrong? Unlikely.

Spot-on!!! I couldn't agree more. It would do Christians some good to read Romans 14 a bit more often then we do. I believe that the things she mentioned are really minor. I feel that we miss the major points (read: Ten Commandments) and try and hit the minor points. How do you think it looks to people who are not Christians? Nothing against standards, beliefs, and opinions (like this one) but people take things way to far (again, like this).

Just throwing out some food for thought. I guess the best way to know the truth is to keep connected with the Source of Truth, Jesus. Thank God for the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, Who is there to show us the way one step at a time! This morning I read this:

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strenghtened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God. Eph. 3:14-19

What say you?

Great questions Kristi, thank you for allowing me to share it.

Ok some things that need to be stated...

1. It looks like a few of you aren't ready to write the 10 commandments yet, thats ok, we"ll be waiting...JK

2. For the moment the few guys on this blog will remain on our side of the barbed wire with regard to the schooling debate. One day in the near future our opinions will be said, as it has come to my attention over the last few weeks that it is of more importance, and debate then I had realized at the time I posted it. I had intended it to be a filler before a "Main Event" (which will come soon) but now it will be a debate that has to go on... later

3. As it has already been a crazy start to the summer, and looks like it will continue as such, I doubt that I'll be able to keep up with posting as much as I'd like. I will do my best as some great topics are in the bag like Ron Paul and (something), morals, more BBQing, who I'm voting for and why, and of course more about schooling (sorry kitty, but it must continue)



4.I have been tagged by hamburg, to name my favorite book and such. Normally I do not like this sort of thing (this time is no different) and this is not a personal blog. That being said, before this occasion I was planing on putting up a chat box just for people to discuss any book they are reading, want to read or whatever...



Ok, so, I normally don't like Candorville, but when I saw these two, I had to put them on.

The Sacred Cow Barbecue: Part II

In this next edition of the debate on symbolism, that I have decided to affectionately call, The Sacred Cow Barbecue (shut-up dave, quit laughing) now where was I at...

O yeah "the next edition", for all of you who think you know all these things are wrong (and they're not), and all you people who have no standards, or convictions (JK), I pose this question...



(without looking at your Bible, asking someone, or anything else)


...


drum roll...


...


do you know what the 10 Commandments are?
(added 6/28/08) (I don't care about the order you put them in)

Well Ladies and Gents it's over...

I know what you are thinking, and you are wrong. Nope, this blog is not ending, not while there are some very good and controversial items to talk about. I'm kind of waiting for the last post to die, and this is what they call "filler."

O yeah, about the "over" part, "what is over" you ask? Nothing more then the Bear Lake High School Graduation. The only reason that is significant is because (for lack of a better term) it is "my class." To commemorate the event I would like to ask you all a few questions.

#1-Type(s) of high schooling you have been a part of. (home, public,and (or) private school)

#2-What you like about the type(s) of schooling you have gotten.

#3-What you don't like about the type(s) of schooling you have gotten.

#4-How you think your schooling compares to the others mentioned. (those with multiple types of schooling obviously have a preferred opinion)

#5-Any other thoughts on this matter.

Symbolism

I have been hesitant to post something, because there are many younger people who view this blog, and maybe some newer Christians. The Bible has strong words for those who offend little ones, and for people who are stumbling- blocks. I do not want you to take what I say the wrong way. I don't know if you understand what I'm trying to get across. Please, if you have any questions, comment in the comment section or email me. I am not trying to go against your church's or family's policy but solely stating my own opinion. Chances are, that at some point while you are reading this post and the ensuing comments you will be entirely creeped out.


Viewer discretion is advised. Thank you.

The editor


Ok, here we go, I stand to get in trouble with most of you, but thats ok, I've been in "hot water" before.

The topic: Symbolism *everyone in chorus "what on earth"*
That page was just a start, and not quite what I'm talking about. Obviously "A""B""C"..., the swastika and many other things are are "symbols." I am not talking about these things.

I'm talking about cultural symbols and perceptions, and why I despise most of these, in our great American culture.

Lets take for example, alcohol, it is strongly preached against, and for whatever reason if you claim to be a Christian and someone who is not a Christian sees you drinking a beer (or whatever) they might wounder why they should become a Christian. BUT there is nothing in the Bible the directly says that alcohol is wrong accept "wherein is excess" You are welcome to debate me on this, but you will lose.

Or how about pink, why is it it "feminine," or why has the homosexual group taken it along with the rainbow as their "symbol?" I thought the rainbow was God's?

Don't even get me started on girlfriends, music, "Rev." Jeremiah Wright's, but more on him later. Now, for the record, I have never drank, but pink is a way better color then yellow, orange, and green. It just ticks people off to see my Halo (video game) character wearing pink armor and killing them all the time, not to mention the funny comments I get for it.

The same goes for most of the pet peeves of parents, and pastors in "hard core" Christian churches (bad terminology I know) If you want to ask about a pet peeve, I'll debate it with you, but I'm trying to avoid any problems with people on this.


Here is what C.S. Lewis said in his Screwtape Letters-
Screwtape (a higher demon) is writing to his nephew (a new tempter) Wormwood.

Letter IX
"My dear Wormwood...*skips a paragraph* Never forget that when we are dealing with any pleasures in its healthy and normal and satisfying form, we are, in a sense, on the Enemy's ground. I know we have won many a soul through pleasure. All the same, it is His invention, not ours. He made the pleasure: all our research so far has not enabled us to produce one. All we can do is to encourage the humans to take the pleasures which our Enemy has produced, at times, or in ways, or in degrees, which He has forbidden. Hence we always try to work away from the natural condition of any pleasure to that in which it is least natural, least redolent of its Maker, and least pleasurable. An ever increasing craving for an ever diminishing pleasure is the formula. It is more certain; and it's better style.

And what the said Mr. Wright had to say about it:
(listen to the whole thing, it's so funny and mostly true)


If you are an open minded individual, you have to admit he has a point.
Let me get this straight, sin is sin, period. I just disagree with making things sin (in a Biblical term) or wrong (from the world's point of view) that are not.
Somewhat like what Eve did in the garden of Eden:
Gen 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
Gen 3:2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:
Gen 3:3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

You see God never said they can't touch it, He said:
Gen 2:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

Why then as a Church, family, or society do we make things wrong that are clearly not?

WoW

I found this article, to relate to our earlier discussion on money. What do you think about it?

Ladies and gents, I would like to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your support of this bloging venture. As I continue this Commentary alone your continued support should keep this blog from becoming another wasted space in the vast database that is Google. Your comments, opinions, questions, and answers have been, and will continue to be, the life blood of LIFE Commentary.


Thank you to all who voted "yea" (and the one who voted "nay") in the poll. Thank you "jimmy" for relinquishing command of LIFE, and I hope your continued adventure with The Times in which we live goes vary well.


Thank you all,
the editor