tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17540148.post7435117372421023424..comments2023-08-23T08:45:53.071-06:00Comments on Paradoxy: ForemostEugenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05431724892247691165noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17540148.post-11290132336405190702010-08-20T13:34:12.233-06:002010-08-20T13:34:12.233-06:00:]:]NicoleAlexandrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14375209482844275798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17540148.post-89713926916153210502010-08-18T21:07:47.882-06:002010-08-18T21:07:47.882-06:00Yes, sounds like we've both been down the scen...Yes, sounds like we've both been down the scenic route.Russ Manleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05722260145543178087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17540148.post-28425115965207665902010-08-18T09:14:05.985-06:002010-08-18T09:14:05.985-06:00Russ,
Feel free to quote me. Thanks for stopping...Russ,<br /><br />Feel free to quote me. Thanks for stopping by - it's always nice to meet someone who's been on a similar journey.Eugenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05431724892247691165noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17540148.post-27850478615810067152010-08-17T16:48:14.343-06:002010-08-17T16:48:14.343-06:00Not coloring within the lines, but extravagant lov...Not coloring within the lines, but extravagant love for others: well said.<br /><br />I may quote you on my blog, if you don't mind. Your thoughts in this post are very much along the same lines as something I posted the other day under "Sex, Lies, and Catholicism."<br /><br />I think we both are envisioning a Christianity based not on church-going but on a way of seeing, thinking, and living. Something rather different from what it has been all these many centuries - which for me might be summed up in Augustine's famous dictum, "Love God, and do as you please."<br /><br />Which I'm sure you understand the profound implications of. Good writing here, keep it up.Russ Manleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05722260145543178087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17540148.post-12078255257958690632010-08-14T14:53:59.081-06:002010-08-14T14:53:59.081-06:00Craig: Yeah, me too. :) I concede that no communi...Craig: Yeah, me too. :) I concede that no community is ever going to be any more perfect than its members, but I still have to believe that we're capable of improvement...Eugenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05431724892247691165noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17540148.post-6064414842345990402010-08-14T14:52:30.616-06:002010-08-14T14:52:30.616-06:00Anonymous,
Thank you for taking the time to respo...Anonymous,<br /><br />Thank you for taking the time to respond to my post. I do appreciate the feedback, even though it's clear that we're already talking past each other.<br /><br />Since you posted anonymously, I get the impression you may have already come and gone. But I will extend the offer of a dialogue - a mutual exchange of stories for the purpose of helping each of us understand the other better. Without such understanding, no debate or discussion we could engage in would ever produce much light.Eugenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05431724892247691165noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17540148.post-2566392380106973682010-08-13T14:03:01.790-06:002010-08-13T14:03:01.790-06:00I agree with the idea that love is the foundation ...I agree with the idea that love is the foundation for the Christian life. I feel, though, that you have taken one single Scripture to far. Yes, Jesus said that all of the law and the prophets could be SUMMED UP in the two greatest commandments, but he did not say that following those commands however any individual sees fit would fulfill them. Jesus did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. (Mat. 5:17) Thus the law is still the standard. It is just that we can look to Jesus when we fall short of the law. Jesus did away with many of the legalistic laws regarding all sorts of things like forbidden food and working on the sabbath, but he never did away with the laws regarding sexual purity. In fact, the laws against such things as homosexuality, incest, and adultry were reinforced in multiple apistles from Paul. Many people say that since other teachings (like wearing braids and earings) that were cultural were along side the teachings on sexual immorality that they must also be a cultural thing. The problem with that thinking is that there is still a reason WHY the cultural things were taught. Braids and jewelry were the culturally recognizeable norm for a prostitute (especially one who worked at a pagan temple). So even that teaching still aplies today - don't dress like a prostitute or in a way that would associate you with a pagan religion. You can look at the teachings on sexual immorality the same way if you want. Homosexuality was a common and exceptable practice of that day, as it is today, and Paul, in Romans, told of the destruction of those of his time who gave themselves over to sexual perversion. How they, though they knew about God, thought themselves wise in their own eyes. "Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them." Obviously Paul knew of God's grace and mercy, but he didn't pretend that that would make it okay to commit sin. "Shall we go on sinning that grace might increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?" (Rom. 6) Homosexuality is never stated in the Bible in any way except that which is immmoral. It is important to love your neighbor as yourself, but that hardly makes it okay to practice anything that has been perscribed as a detestable sin in the Bible. This is not legalism, it is struggle toward righteousness despite the nature of sin. I cannot tell a non-believer not to sin, since he cannot be expected to be a part of a law that he doesn't believe in, but since you claim salvation I am obligated to show you the Scripture and what it says about sin.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17540148.post-50435212482551116622010-08-13T09:14:29.668-06:002010-08-13T09:14:29.668-06:00I'd like to join that "functional, loving...I'd like to join that "functional, loving community" you describe.Craig L. Adamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08351091412370400350noreply@blogger.com