Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Ask Questions–Get Involved
We all have questions concerning religion, the Bible, God and spiritual matters. There are answers to most questions, and I will attempt to answer as many as possible, to the best of my ability. There are questions with no apparent answers, some that haven’t been asked yet, stupid questions–sometime they are the best questions--trick questions and more.
Lets make a contest out of this questions and answer section. You can send your questions to my email address, or better yet, click on the comment icon below. I will be the preliminary judge as to the best question, and when I am done, I will turn it over to you the readers, to tell what you thought was the best question or answer. If you disagree with my answers, let me know. Anything that is inappropriate, I will instantly delete. This can be a learning experience for all of us.
Althinker
Comments:
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Hi Al.
My question is on the Mat 5:39. But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. Is this telling us if someone is shooting at us we should not shoot back. In the wake of all the martyrdom going on in the Muslim world and now recently in the Hindu countries. Do you think God expects us not to defend ourselves and to just die to that evil ? The commandment says thou shall not murder it dose not say, thou shall not kill. Jay
My question is on the Mat 5:39. But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. Is this telling us if someone is shooting at us we should not shoot back. In the wake of all the martyrdom going on in the Muslim world and now recently in the Hindu countries. Do you think God expects us not to defend ourselves and to just die to that evil ? The commandment says thou shall not murder it dose not say, thou shall not kill. Jay
Jay, that is an excellent question. Not to retaliate when an enemy is about to do a Christian harm, is one of the most unnatural demands that can be asked of anyone. This principle is what separates GENUINE Christianity from most other religions. Matthew 10:23 says “When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another.” There are more verses which, in essence, say the same thing as the verse you quoted in Matthew 5:39.
The question is why? You are right, there is a distinction between to murder and to kill. To murder is to take someone’s live illegally. To kill, as in a legal execution of a person who committed a crime (murder), by all means is necessary and acceptable, at least according to the Old Testament.
Luke 12:4 says, “I tell you my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who after killing the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.” (God). This command does not apply to those who do not belong to God, but only authentic Christians. Those such as agnostics and atheistic christians certainly value the physical body more than all else. Jesus Christ is letting it be known the value of the physical body, in comparison to the value of the soul. The same verse is in Matthew 10:28, except it mentions the destroying the soul and body in hell. Consequently, Jesus is attempting to put across, that the soul has infinitely more value than the body. And if we kill someone who is about to kill us or do us harm, we are no better than the potential assailant.
This command is difficult to believe and more difficult to apply, if and when we are in that situation. Another way to look at the logic of God and His Christ, is that it is no small event to want to become a Christian. Our value system must change dramatically from putting emphases on the physical body and the physical world, to what is eternal. (The soul).
As we can see and hopefully understand, Christianity has a holy and Godly reason to be a nonaggression type of religion. We are to love our enemies, not kill them, even if it means to pay with our physical lives. If we were only to love those who are nice to us, would we be any different than the Muslim/Islamic religion? That is why I am animatedly against Bush’s “christian war in Iraq. Christians are not fighters but lovers of God and neighbor, even if your neighbor/s wants to kill us. If more people lived and believed according to what is commanded in the New Testament, this would be a much better world. The bible never said it would be easy to belong to Jesus Christ, but the very opposite. Jay thanks for your excellent question,
I could go on and on with this subject, but the comment section is limited in space. I might consider making your question the above answer into a post in the main section of the blog.
Althinker
The question is why? You are right, there is a distinction between to murder and to kill. To murder is to take someone’s live illegally. To kill, as in a legal execution of a person who committed a crime (murder), by all means is necessary and acceptable, at least according to the Old Testament.
Luke 12:4 says, “I tell you my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who after killing the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.” (God). This command does not apply to those who do not belong to God, but only authentic Christians. Those such as agnostics and atheistic christians certainly value the physical body more than all else. Jesus Christ is letting it be known the value of the physical body, in comparison to the value of the soul. The same verse is in Matthew 10:28, except it mentions the destroying the soul and body in hell. Consequently, Jesus is attempting to put across, that the soul has infinitely more value than the body. And if we kill someone who is about to kill us or do us harm, we are no better than the potential assailant.
This command is difficult to believe and more difficult to apply, if and when we are in that situation. Another way to look at the logic of God and His Christ, is that it is no small event to want to become a Christian. Our value system must change dramatically from putting emphases on the physical body and the physical world, to what is eternal. (The soul).
As we can see and hopefully understand, Christianity has a holy and Godly reason to be a nonaggression type of religion. We are to love our enemies, not kill them, even if it means to pay with our physical lives. If we were only to love those who are nice to us, would we be any different than the Muslim/Islamic religion? That is why I am animatedly against Bush’s “christian war in Iraq. Christians are not fighters but lovers of God and neighbor, even if your neighbor/s wants to kill us. If more people lived and believed according to what is commanded in the New Testament, this would be a much better world. The bible never said it would be easy to belong to Jesus Christ, but the very opposite. Jay thanks for your excellent question,
I could go on and on with this subject, but the comment section is limited in space. I might consider making your question the above answer into a post in the main section of the blog.
Althinker
Hello Al
Jehovahs witneses will not give blood or accept it even in a life threataning situation,to my knowledge they are the only organized religion to believe this is right,what do you think Al?
Jehovahs witneses will not give blood or accept it even in a life threataning situation,to my knowledge they are the only organized religion to believe this is right,what do you think Al?
David, thanks for your question. Even though I don’t subscribe to all that the Jehovah Witnesses believe, they are correct on this issue of blood. What is not the best is that they put too much emphasis on blood and not enough on more important issues. But the main reason that would make me shun them is their headquarters (The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society) does not allow their people to think for themselves on spiritual matters. God speaks to anyone who seeks Him with holiness and purity. Their leaders do not have a monopoly on the truth. I do give them credit for their dedication to what they believe. They do live what they believe. Again thanks for asking me my opinion on this matter.
Althinker
Althinker
WERE DID THIS WOMAN CAIN MARRIED COME FROM IN THE LAND OF NOD ? AND WHO IS THE US WHEN GOD MADE MAN (LET US ) AND WHY DID HE NEED HELP ? ONE MORE THING DID JESUS SAY HE WAS A CHRISTIAN AND WERE IS THIS LOCATED ?
# posted by 
: 1:28 PM
: 1:28 PM
Thanks for your questions,. They are good ones. The answer to your first question, I truly believe there were other people on earth at the time of Adam. Click onto archives, the November icon. Go to blog #109 "Creation Evolution and Intelligent Design. I think that will answer your question. Your second question: to my understanding, that 'us' was God's Son or possibily His Holy angels. He really didn't need anyone's help, but because God and all those with Him are ONE like a modern-day corporation--a corporation is a single entity, but has many menbers--it was a team venture. As to your last question: the first time the word Christian was used in the new Testament was 20 to 30 years after the death of Jesus Chris,t in Acts 11:26, "The deciples were first called Christians at Antioch." Before that they were called 'The Way.' Acts 9:2. The word Christian means Christ-like-one, or follower of Christ. Again, thanks for your questions. If I didn't make myself clear or you have more questions, feel free to ask more questions.
Do you agree with the death penalty in some countrys or that it is a legal thing to accept as a Christian?
# posted by
: 9:35 AM
: 9:35 AM
Comment: Do I believe in the death penalty? I am certain you would rather know what the bible says about execution, rather than my personal opinion–though I will give my opinion also. In the Old testament, stoning is allowed and necessary according to the Law of Moses. As a Christian (one who believes according to the New Testament) that answer is not cut and dry. Jesus said to love our enemies. One who kills another person is our enemy, and an enemy to society. How are we to love him/her?
My opinion: Once the evidence is certain--although in extremely rare cases that evidence my be flawed--yes it is the correct thing to execute that person. Death will relieve the convicted killers misery of life in a prison–life in prison, even in the best of conditions is dreadful. There is nothing harmful or illegal in death of a convicted killer. Death is a cure for all the troubles that life gives. We are actually doing the killer a favor when he/she is execute; not to mention the savings for the state or federal government. The only one’s that might get hurt by the execution are love-one’s left behind. In other words, it is an injustice to the society, the criminal and the victims family, not to execute anyone worthy of death.
Execution is not only a deterrent for others, but justice; life for life. If anyone disagrees with my opinion, state your case.
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My opinion: Once the evidence is certain--although in extremely rare cases that evidence my be flawed--yes it is the correct thing to execute that person. Death will relieve the convicted killers misery of life in a prison–life in prison, even in the best of conditions is dreadful. There is nothing harmful or illegal in death of a convicted killer. Death is a cure for all the troubles that life gives. We are actually doing the killer a favor when he/she is execute; not to mention the savings for the state or federal government. The only one’s that might get hurt by the execution are love-one’s left behind. In other words, it is an injustice to the society, the criminal and the victims family, not to execute anyone worthy of death.
Execution is not only a deterrent for others, but justice; life for life. If anyone disagrees with my opinion, state your case.
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