Christians Avoid Certain Bible Passages

Care to bet?

I find the issue more complex than that, and your statements out of context. Why...

If there is anything in the Bible that makes modern people nervous, it is its treatment of slavery. Slavery is humanely regulated in the legal portions of the Old Testament, and in the epistles of the New Testament slaveholders are exhorted to show kindness to slaves, but nowhere in the Bible is there anything which can be interpreted as a disapproval of the institution as such. People of our generation, Christians included, tend to have a very hard time with this, because it seems to amount to a tacit approval of the institution, and we balk at the idea that God did not consider the institution itself to be immoral.

Part of the problem is that we have false ideas about what slavery was really like. The life of a slave was not easy, but we get an exaggerated idea of the hardships of slavery from watching movies or reading historical material that is written on a popular level. Here the purpose is usually to dramatize the plight of slaves or to make some point about the evils of slavery in general, (1) but the historical reality was less dramatic. In most cases the life of a slave was not much different from the life of any lower-class worker. Those who have been in the military have experienced something like it — being legally bound to an employer and to a job that one cannot simply “quit” at will, not free to leave without permission, subject to discipline if one disobeys or is grossly negligent — all of this is familiar enough to those of us who have served in the military. And yet we know that the daily life of a good soldier is not especially hard. This is what it was like to be a slave.
Another problem is, when thinking about slavery we tend to have in mind the recent slavery of the black race in America, and so the whole subject of slavery gets mixed up with the issue of racism. But in ancient times, slavery was not associated with any particular race. By condoning slavery the Bible does not approve of racism.

A third reason why modern people have a hard time understanding the Bible’s treatment of slavery is that we often now tend to confuse morality with political values. The modern tendency is to politicize everything, including even the Christian gospel. Moral philosophy or ethics has become so politicized that it seems to be almost a sub-department of political science now, which is why we have seen the rise of an elaborate political correctness in our public life. “Racism,” “sexism,” “homophobia,” and so on, are the really serious sins under this new morality. Although we all know that people are not really equal, the egalitarian ideology of our time is considered to be of such overriding importance that any slight affront to it is considered sinful, while the principles of ordinary old-fashioned morality are downplayed and even denied. This political correctness is not merely a fad, it is the logical and inevitable result of the politicization of morality, the elaboration of an entirely new morality based upon political ideas of right and wrong.

[link to www.bible-researcher.com]

That is an unfair bet. If Christians are right, and every knee must bow, why would an atheist or a Muslim or a Hindu or a Scientologist or a Mormon or a Jehovah's Witness or a New Ager, etc. bow to Jesus? It would make no sense. So the only way they would bow would be if Jesus was beating them across the knee caps mercilessly ands they bow down because they HAVE to. Think of it this way, if someone was sending you to eternal torment, would YOU BOW DOWN? What if Allah just happens to be the correct God and you...a Christian...must bow down to him before he throws you in eternal flames? Would you do it because you wanted to or because YOU HAD TO. So this is an unfair bet.

If the atheists are correct, there will be no afterlife so no bowing will be going on. And there is no one there to pay up for your silly bet. If I was a betting person, I would bet this will be the real scenario. And if you are dead, you don't know what is going on because you are dead and dead means dead.

But Jesus was right laws would never be erased from humans for people will always have laws. As they were laws before the word became flesh. Jesus did not come here to remove the laws or prophets.....but to fulfill.

But that is the point for Jesus that he gave us salvation through his grace not by law. In his death by believing we are saved.

Now in believing do we break all laws and do whatever we want. No!!! For this is a false belief for you must try to be Christ like. If you fail and are in dark times like the Adulteress that was about to be stoned. Repent and do not sin again and put all your salvation in Christ the lord.

That is why we repent for we our all sinners but through believing in Christ and then comes doing his will. For you will know what is his will.............but only if you have belief in Christ.

Amen.

You say repent and do not sin again? You are obviously thinking about those outward sins like stealing, murder, adultery, etc. But what about the inward sins? What if a Christian has too much pride? What if a Christian owns too much property and is considered greedy? What if a Christian has envy or hatred for his enemies in his heart? So what happens if that person repents of pride, greed, envy, and he learns to love his enemies. Then perhaps he is too fat and he repents of gluttony. Or someone talks behind another person's back and that could be considered slander. So they repent of all their sins.

When all is said and done, that person would come away PERFECT. And, indeed, Jesus said that we should be perfect, as God is perfect. I don't think you should take this lightly. Perhaps a few people, those on the very narrow road, would repent of ALL sins, not just the outward sins, but ALL sin. Then that person would go and sin no more and become perfect.

Perhaps Jesus came as an example, not as an excuse. Christians use Jesus as an excuse to sin. They go out and do whatever they want and then they think their belief saves them. That is nothing like what Jesus said. In fact, a man who had been good and followed all the commandments came to Jesus and asked what he could do to enter heaven. Jesus told him to go and sell everything he owned and give it to the poor. Most people say Jesus wasn't serious, but what if he was?

THink of the Pharisees who followed all the laws and commandments of that day. Jesus came down hard on them for sins like pride, hypocrisy, not seeing their own sin but seeing the speck in another's eye. In fact, those were the very sins that Jesus had the most problem with. He didn't really mention sins like homosexuality or murder too much. He dealt with the internal sins of the heart.

Maybe you can help me to understand this but I think we have to take ALL of the teachings of Jesus into account. You can't just pick and choose the ones you like and forget the others. And when did Jesus EVER say that all we needed to do was believe in his name and we are saved? He didn't. He stressed repentance, turning from sin, three times he mentioned giving everything to the poor. I think that getting to heaven just may be the hardest thing anyone can ever do.

Remember those people who did miracles in the name of Jesus and spoke prophecy. Why did Jesus tell them that he didn't know them? If you would have spoken prophecy or did a miracle using the name of Jesus, you would be entirely sure you were going to heaven. Just like those Pharisees, that is why they hated Jesus? He told them they were sons of Satan and going to hell but they were sure they were going to heaven. I think you may have this wrong.

You're hilarious! and so right.

New International Version (©1984)
I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.

New Living Translation (©2007)
I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God's law will disappear until its purpose is achieved.

English Standard Version (©2001)
For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

True, Jesus did say: “Do not think I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I came, not to destroy, but to fulfill.” (Matthew 5:17) But what does the expression “to fulfill” mean? To illustrate: A builder fulfills a contract to complete a building, not by ripping up the contract, but by finishing the structure. However, once the work has been completed to the client’s satisfaction, the contract is fulfilled and the builder is no longer under obligation to it. Likewise, Jesus did not break, or rip up, the Law; rather, he fulfilled it by keeping it perfectly. Once fulfilled, that Law “contract” was no longer binding on God’s people.

Jehovah's Witnesses are Christians. They believe Jesus Christ "is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and no one comes to the Father except by means of Him." They just happen to know more about the scriptures, Greek and Hebrew, than most "Christians" and jewish people so maybe that has you confused.

Christians, you're wrong in trying to justify slavery or Jesus' approval of slavery.
But I applaud all of you Christians for not calling for my blood because I insulted your religion and God.

I am not a Thor worshipper. I was joking after seeing The Avengers movie.

I believe in God.
I believe in life after death.
I believe Jesus was fiction based on imperfect people.
I also believe Paul is a romanticized version of Apollonius.
I do not believe God was ever a human.

My God also says if you are weak then you should be enslaved.
My God is more like Crom

Jesus was big on repentance. If your sins are all forgiven by the death on the cross, why do you need to repent?



This was asked by the other poster. Like you stated not everyone who cries out Lord.Lord....will be saved. This is true.

Even demons believe in Jesus. But they lack trust in God, as you must trust completely in Jesus. They don't want a connection with Jesus.

I'm going to be honest with you even though I believe in Christ. I do not know if I'm going to make it.

So then why don't I go steal or try to have a lot of jealousy towards others etc etc, if I might not going make it?

Because to me Jesus way is the right way. An authority that one can look up to. Trust and love for all that he has given me and all that he has taken away from me.

As I do agree with you Jesus never stated his way is the easiest.

I don't need Jesus to remind me that stealing is bad. I don't steal because I don't want people to steal from me. I realize that some will anyway, but I'm not going to be a part of the problem.

I'm also wealthy enough to not need to steal for survival. You see, financial security makes us more likely moral. And we should not be too quick to judge the poor.

Treat others how you want to be treated is not an exclusively Christian teaching though you Christians act like it is.

Wrong. Jesus never told anyone to beat their slaves. He told them to be kind to their slaves.
Over half the people in that culture were slaves. Many of them had gotten into debt, and so were in slavery to work off their debts. People today would live within their means if they had to go into slavery to pay off those debts.
Jesus came to save our souls, not to overturn an entire economic system. Owning another person is wrong, but owing lots of money that never gets paid is theft....that is wrong also. I am inclined to feel that slavery would be a good thing if people don't pay their debts! It might be a good principle.
My GGGGGrandfather and his family came here from Ireland, and he had to endenture two of his children to pay for passage. That is slavery. They worked off the family's debt and then became heirs to the family plantation in South Carolina which the family homesteaded. Slavery of the two children for several years enabled the entire family to have a new life. People have to pay their bills! or should!

We are either slave to Christ or slave to Satan. No other choice. I choose Christ.

Oh, and by the way Luke 12:47 was a parable....it was a story he was telling that people in that culture could understand. He never condoned beating anyone. He was just using this as an illustration which was a common picture that people of that time could understand (because slavery was so prevalent), illustrating that degrees in talent and station in life require corresponding degrees in responsibilty.....

You are so wrong, so lost. Your above remarks are so disorderly, so undisciplined and unruly....the traits the Bible tells us to just ignore and avoid. I usually do not even open threads like this because non believers are just being contentious. The bible instructs us to avoid those who deny God's power...those who just want to be contentious and argumentative... and won't listen to the truth. Just as those types would not listen to Jesus when He talked to them. When a nonbeliever is sincerely seeking answers and the truth, then authentic Christians joyfully and willingly share what God's view is. When you want to scoff and ridicule and argue, there is not point in trying to convince you otherwise.

Further, the bible instructs us, in addition to the types of people to avoid..... never answer a fool according to his folly.

But somewhere in your past family history, the Christian traditions were held to, or at least, the Christian teachings influenced your predecessors, and therefore you learned that theft is sin.
Christian principles, like the golden rule, was initiated by God the Creator and has had a civilizing influence on some people through the ages.

I do not know why, but my response got inserted into the middle of the above entry. Jehovah Witnesses do not believ that Jesus is God, and Jesus said, "Unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins." And many, many passages stating that Jesus is God throughout the Scriptures that I have quoted in the past on GLP

Yes but you are not perfect like Jesus. Even believers fall into sin. You may not steal but you do sin, just like we all do.


But through Christ you can be saved with the Jesus connection.


Other teachings can teach you of doing good. But without the Christ connection and then do his will. What we no of good is not good.

By living by the golden rule or what you consider good laws of the nations or your own rules of being good.

Through this we will fail through our own means we are lost for it is sin that will win without Christ. For we are all sinners but can be saved by believing completely in Christ as then you will do his will.
I'm not going to lie to you, as this is not easy......not at all. I hope you find Jesus Christ and may he give you his will to do.

Just really quick!....

Christians do not need to steal either as God promises to provide every need (need not want). Many Christians throughout history have seen His promise come true of Him taking care of them daily by providing their needs. Millions of millions of testimonies of this could be given. I could rattle of my own handful.

But I mostly wanted to reply to just throw this in there - I have to look it up - so I am not sure. Maybe when I get back - I heard that in the bible it says if you steal because you are starving and have no money to buy food that is okay and not a sin.... again I am not sure how true that is. Will look it up later!

In prayer to his heavenly Father, Jesus said: “This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God.” But that is not enough. We must also learn of and follow the one whom God sent forth. Thus, Jesus continued, “And of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ.”—John 17:3.

1 Cor 8:5 Keep this mental attitude in YOU that was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although he was existing in God’s form, gave no consideration to a seizure, namely, that he should be equal to God. 7 No, but he emptied himself and took a slave’s form and came to be in the likeness of men. 8 More than that, when he found himself in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient as far as death, yes, death on a torture stake.

If Jehovah is “the only true God,” what kind of “God” is Jesus?
Jesus himself referred to his Father as “the only true God.” (John 17:3) Jehovah himself said: “Besides me there is no God.” (Isa. 44:6) The apostle Paul wrote that, to true Christians, “there is . . . one God the Father.” (1 Cor. 8:5, 6) So Jehovah is unique; no one else shares his position. Jehovah stands in utter contrast to all such objects of worship as idols, deified humans, and Satan. All these are false gods.

Jesus is spoken of in the Scriptures as “a god,” even as “Mighty God.” (John 1:1; Isa. 9:6) But nowhere is he spoken of as being Almighty, as Jehovah is. (Gen. 17:1) Jesus is said to be “the reflection of [God’s] glory,” but the Father is the Source of that glory. (Heb. 1:3) Jesus in no way seeks the position of his Father. He said: “It is Jehovah your God you must worship, and it is to him alone you must render sacred service.” (Luke 4:8) He exists “in God’s form,” and the Father has commanded that “in the name of Jesus every knee should bend,” but this is all done “to the glory of God the Father.”—Phil. 2:5-11

Jehovah's witnesses do not believe Jesus is God. Also, their bible has been altered. I know who God is, He lives in me (not just an expression) His name is Jesus.

Evidently you are a person who loves God’s Word. So I am sure you would be interested in knowing what one of the big differences is between the New World Translation and other versions. It involves the name of the most important person spoken of in the Scriptures. Did you know that his personal name appears in the Bible in the original Hebrew some 7,000 times—more than any other name?

What difference does it make whether we use the personal name of God or not? Well, do you have any really close friends whose name you do not know? If we want a personal relationship with God, knowing his name is an important start.

Notice what Jesus said at John 17:3,6 "This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ. 6 “I have made your name manifest to the men you gave me out of the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have observed your word.
(Ps. 83:18) That people may know that you, whose name is Jehovah,
You alone are the Most High over all the earth.

Well today we got modern slavery and some people can't even see it I rather work for a good woman or man as a slave as to work for the US Gov, Fema Camps, Federal Gov all that stuff. God did not create slaves He create His children and everybody will be free in Heaven, but you will go through the worst time of your life, remember this words when pawpaw hits the fan. Proud to be a Christian!!!

It's nice to have a good laugh. OP seem to be young and he seem to got his idealism from his comic books and movies. Thor and Crom mentioned by OP were gods in Conan the barbarian comic. How to be serious with an OP who seem to be occupied with fictional dream world of his comic books? If only OP worshipped internet god called google rather than comic gods, it must've been easier to connect intelligently with him. The following is why we can't talk intelligently about slavery or anything philosophical with Conan:

[link to www.clickhere.gr]
Conan and the sage

Conan the barbarian is informed at the other end of the world, there is a castle on the summit of a very high mountain where the absolute secret of life’s collective wisdom is held by an elderly sage living there.

He prepares his gear, straps on his shield, harnesses his sword and, wears his little fur underwear and starts making his way towards the mountain.

He crosses the Desert of Thirst, the Bottomless Ravine, the Thousand Wishes Well and after a 100 day journey trough the Tundra of zero degrees on the Kelvin scale, he reaches the foot of the Wisdom Mountain, barely visible behind a thick vale of clouds and fog.

He begins his ascent, flexing his biceps, his veins popping-out while all the time his little fur underwear protects him from the cold.

He roars when, in a complete state of fatigue following the long ascent, he reaches the summit with the old sage’s castle, appearing completely impenetrable, in full view.

The wooden gate is closed but he knocks it down roaring, with a blow of his shield. The next gate, even heavier, requires an even stronger blow. The third, made of steel, is knocked down after a second attempt. The final ultra-heavy and thick steel door collapses noisily as Conan’s roar breaks the silence of the cold circular room, where the old sage is meditating with his fingers joined under his chin, sitting on his throne.

Conan approaches the center of the room and places his weapons at the feet of the elderly sage.

- Respect, old man. They told me that you possess the secret of all secrets..

- There are door knobs, Conan.

- You speak in riddles, old man...

So comics are for children?

You Christians seem to be falsely painting me as young and inexperienced because you're trying to tell me that Jesus did not say beat the slaves when in Luke 12:47 he clearly does.

You condescending Chistian sheepish naive and gullible children.

Sounds like your trying to convince yourself more then us.


Good luck because you are not succeeding.

Jesus did or did not say beat the slaves in Luke 12:47. Don't give me that it is just a parable crap. Jesus wouldn't say the parable at all if he wasn't teaching what was in the parable and what he is teaching is beat the slaves.