Well I’ve confused A.D. again (see:Hrrrrm). I don’t see this as a debate. Because this is the type of conversation where neither of us is going to “win” without total rejection of our identities. I’ve always seen this as an opportunity to simply be better understood. So many times evangelical Christians are seen as hateful hypocrites. In time, even with people who don’t agree with me, they see I am sincerely concerned with their eternal soul and operate from pure intent. And then there’s always the hope that something I write will be used by the Holy Spirit to bring someone to repentance and faith in Christ. With AD, I don’t seem to be any closer than when he first stopped by. In his latest post AD seems to still misunderstand me, my intentions or both.
- I
do notcan not condemn anyone to hell. Only God can do that. I am only pointing out what the Bible says God will do, in the hope it may be help someone to receive the righteousness needed to enter Heaven. - I am no paragon of virtue. I maintain I am a depraved man in need of a Savior.
- The Bible is true. Are there parts that are hard to understand? Sure. But that doesn’t make it less true. Can each verse be plucked out and stood alone as a directive? Not always. Sure, some sections are literal, others are contextual, prophetic, poetic, allegorical, etc. For the most part, it’s not that difficult to discover which categories the scripture falls into. Emotions and feelings are subjective and while they do have value – its obviously not wise to use them solely as reason for forming opinion.
- I don’t have to see Brokeback Mountain to know what scripture says.
- The Bible does not ignore lesbianism.
- Yes. Sex has other uses besides procreation. Scripture points out it is proper only within the man-woman marriage relationship.
- “Even Jesus realized that” [scripture should not be taken literally] he says. Are His standards something you are willing to work within?
- Christ condemned divorce. He called it adultery. He also said lust was adultery. Surely you don’t think divorce is an added benefit to society? No matter how normal is it. Is there a difference between sexual sins? I don’t see where one sin is any more condemning than another. Our lying or blasphemy or fornication or lust or whatever all leaves us guilty before a holy God.
And in what may be the best thing AD has posted thus far:
True, God gave us a Bible. He also gave us hearts, minds, and consciences. It seems not only silly, but also irresponsible, not to use all the tools at our disposal.
God moves us to compassion for others. Our hearts/compassion is often misplaced however by our own desire to not cause even mild pain to another. The truth hurts sometimes. But if it saves someone from death eternal. We should consider it worth the minor sting.
Our mind or intellect should be used. It was with an intellectual approach I researched the prophecies and predictions of the Bible. No other book compares, The messianic prophesies alone are a statistical miracle. Proving to me and countless others for nearly 2000 years that scripture is true and there must be a God.
And AD is right. Our conscience is a gift from God. What does our conscience say? Who can really say they are good enough to go to heaven?
I’m thrilled to know he and I agree that scripture comes from God. I pray he (and any reading this) would be sure and read it daily – and they obey what they read.