ex-xian

Another hit and run. Oh well, I guess by now I shouldn't be surprised.

excreationist

People worshipping other gods.... how dare they!

Exodus 34:14 - "Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God." (NIV)

Cross Examiner

excreationist et al.,
I stumbled upon this thread on the "jealousy" of God

and thought I'd mention that while a convenient caricature of God for the determined atheist, allowing God as "jealous", according to the 21st century American sense, is also bad exegesis. A word of caution, reading the aforementioned link may disturb your current notion--so you may want to consider the informed alternative, or not.

Ancient: Greek, Aramaic, Hebrew, context.

Regards,
BGic

tensorproduct

Well, I thought that after all the other Christian apologetics I'd read my atheism was secure and untouchable. But that just tipped the balance.

Evidence! Who needs it?

By redefining the terms of the thing that you can't prove you have opened up my heart to the Holy Spirit.
Thank you BGiC
Praise Jesus



Editted to add:
[Homer] In case you couldn't tell, I was being sarcastic [/Homer]

excreationist

Billy Graham is cool:
If "jealousy" isn't the right word, then the Bible translators should have used a word (or phrase) that fits properly. English translations are supposed use English words that most accurately reflect the meaning of the original texts.

Doctor X

execrationist:

Even vaunted "new" translations of biblical texts tend to follow tradition. One example is the translation of the word for "slave" into "servant" throughout Lk, or even "born again"--more properly translated "born from above"--which softens the passage.

Hit-and-Run Fundamentalists:

On a more serious note, whilst I am sure this was not the first "hit and run"--and will not be the last--I find it a singular case of cowardice.

No one banned him.

Actually, no one really ridiculed him.

If he had courage of his convictions he would have remained and argued--they may have been ridiculous--such as arguing that the Flood did happen . . . science is "just wrong"--but at least it would have shown fortitude.

Another person recent came over at BC-H--even PM'd a couple of us riffraff--only to give up the ghost after a few posts.

Perhaps, alone they feel important that they were "dispis'd and reject'd."

--J.D.

Cross Examiner

excreationist,

Translation can be a difficult discipline. Fortunately, we have ample manuscript supply and are always able to review our work to ensure faithfulness to original intent. However, it is most dangerous to build one's rejection/derision of the (arguably) world's most important communiqu� upon misgivings such as our "jealousy" example. How many other "absurdities" or "contradictions" may be cleared upon closer inspection?

Some thoughts.

Regards,
BGic

EasternGate

As Talking about John 7:38, Jesus is talking about scripture refering to the rock that followed Israel and gave them water in the desert.
At the Feast of Tabernacles, water was poured out daily at the altar to remind everyone of the water God miraculously provided for a thirsty Israel in the wilderness Jesus boldly calls people to Himself, claiming that He can satisfy the inner thirst in man. But the water of the Holy Spirit not only goes in, it comes out - not only does the believer receive blessing, but he becomes a blessing to others
That is your answer.

EasternGate

God's message can be understood in the sense that the Gospel is simple and easy enough for a child to understand. But Jesus says, "The condemnation is that they know the truth but they rather live in sin because they rather live to please the flesh and it's desires. They freely choose not to come to Christ and have their sins forgiven because their sin is more satisfying.
But as for understanding scripture without being saved, it is confusing to them because they, not having the Spirit, can only think worldly and fleshly and have not the spirit of understanding in order to know the things of God, for those things are hid from them. But the gospel is given for all to know and understand.

EasternGate

Moses himself, notwithstanding his age and gravity, walked out of the camp to congratulate them on their victory, and to grace the solemnity of their triumphs. Public successes should be publicly acknowledged, to the glory of God, and the encouragement of those that have jeoparded their lives in their country�s cause.
They were severely reproved for letting the women live. It is very probable that Moses had commanded them to kill the women, at least this was implied in the general order to avenge Israel of the Midianites; the execution having reference to that crime, their drawing them in to the worship of Peor, it was easy to conclude that the women, who were the principal criminals, must not be spared. What! says Moses, have you saved the women alive? He was moved with a holy indignation at the sight of them. These were those that caused the children of Israel to commit this trespass; and therefore, it is just that they should die. The law in case of whoredom was, The adulterer and adulteress should surely be put to death. God had put to death the adulterers of Israel by the plague, and now it was fit that the adulteresses of Midian, especially since they had been the tempters, should be put to death by the sword.
"It is dangerous to let them live; they will be still tempting the Israelites to uncleanness, and so your captives will be your conquerors and a second time your destroyers.�� Severe orders are therefore given that all the grown women should be slain in cold blood, and only the female children spared