French Prometheus

I guess this has already been discussed but I couldn't find it in previous (recent) threads. If there's already a thread on this topic, please let me know

I've only selected what I consider the best 3 Bible excerpts on this issue :

• Luke 19:27
  But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.
  
  This is the conclusion of the parable of the minas and as such it's supposed to be a lesson of morals. At best, Jesus condones figures of authority destroying their enemies when they refuse to submit (and the Greek word katasphaxate is stronger than just "kill"). At worst he identifies with the nobleman of the story and enjoins his followers (a.k.a. the Christians) to slay those who won't be converted.
  
  I can't see anything in this story that supports the fundamentalists' view that it will only occur at the end of times. But even if it were so, it wouldn't give a better picture of Jesus (it's a far cry from "turn the other cheek").

• Matthew 10:34
  Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
  
  This is probably the only fulfilled prophesy in the whole NT.

• Jesus and the fig tree (Matthew 21:18-22)
  
  Jesus sees a fig tree. He's upset because there's no fig on it (it's not fig season). WWJD? He makes a miracle and the tree bears fruit out of season as a proof of his loving creative power? WRONG! He curses it and makes it wither overnight.

Any thoughts or comments?

lpetrich

He was also described as being very hypocritical in some ways. After forbidding name-calling in the Sermon on the Mount (you risk Hell if you call someone a fool), he directed a lot of name-calling at those scribes and Pharisees (blind guides, snakes, white-painted tombs, fools, etc.).

He also foamed at the mouth at those who would not listen to him, like the inhabitants of Chorazin and Bethsaida.

He also called on his followers to desert their families, and apparently practiced what he preached here.

And he threw a big temper tantrum in the Temple courtyard, calling the merchants there "thieves".

Javaman

... Or immediately
I do recall some threads on this particular passage. I've also asked my theist friends about it. I've never gotten more than a puzzled response. It certainly is an odd story and perhaps is only there to demonstrate power... albeit in a childish way.

Goliath

Let's not forget that Jesus also advocates self-mutliation and the idea that people should hate themselves and their families.

Jesus is a dispicable character, and if he were to exist in the here and now, I would want nothing to do with him.

Sincerely,

Goliath

Dominus Paradoxum

Jesus was also very conceited if he said some of the things attributed to him. I'm inclinded to agree with Judas that the ointment should have be sold and the money given to the poor.

Hawkpeter

If jebus was alive today people would kill him.

Goliath

And with good reason.

Sincerely,

Goliath

GakuseiDon

Jesus is not presented as "the epitome of tolerance". He believed that the "kingdom of God" was about to be established, and that everyone had to make a choice for good or for evil. There is no compromise against evil for Jesus.

What moral do you think this is meant to portray? Invest wisely?

If you insist on not reading it in its correct setting, then it may be better not to use it at all.

In short, the parable is: if you do good with what you have, you will be rewarded. If you do nothing, you are being wasteful. If you rebel, you will be destroyed. The parable makes the point that the nobleman has been given legitimate authority, so the enemies are acting against the legitimate authority.

Why doesn't Jesus have the nobleman forgive his enemies? There is nothing to say that he wouldn't, just as in the parable we don't know whether the enemies repent when brought before him. In this parable that isn't the point.

Yep. No compromise against evil, even if it is your family. But Jesus doesn't add, "And here is a sword for you to use!" It is a metaphorical sword.

If you found that someone in your family was doing something you considered "evil", would you tolerate it?

Where is Jesus said to be upset?

Jesus sees a fig tree. "When the tree starts budding, then summer is near". (Luke 21:30). Jesus finds only leaves, and no buds. This indicates that the fig tree is no longer producing fruit. Such fig trees should be cut down in order to be replaced by healthy trees (see "The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree" at Luke 13:6). Jesus withers it for this reason. Don't you pull out weeds and mow the lawn? Does this mean you are upset with them?

The fig tree parables are usually regarded as symbolic of Israel's rejection of Jesus. The time for Israel to accept Jesus has passed, so the "tree" is withered (presumably to be replaced as per Luke 13).

Guys, these are fairly simple passages. If you are really interested in trying to understand the Bible, can I suggest you try to find out these things for yourself? If you are not interested, why bring these points up?

Anyway, don't take my word for it. Do what I did: go out and try to find the answers for yourself. I've found errors and contradictions in the Bible, but I've also found that a lot of the stuff I thought were problems actually weren't.

If you aren't interested in finding out the truth for yourself, then good luck anyway.

Madkins007

This one is sort of a 'damned if you do, damned if you don't' thing, isn't it?

Where I work, they use company money to buy 50% of the face value of gift certificates, etc., and sell them to staff for the other 50%. The idea is to enable staff to do things they might not otherwise get to do. Some people complain about this generosity, saying they would rather just paid the company's share in their hourly rates.

The problem is that the company's share works out to under a penny an hour if spread over the company (since not all staff take advantage of every offer every month, and many offers are limited to the first 50-100 staff to get them, etc.)

She COULD have sold the ointment- but how many people would it have benefited and for how long? If we are talking about feeding an entire village for a week- sure! But I rather suspect that it was not quite THAT precious. One small luxury recorded out of his travels does not seem all that wasteful overall.

Godless Wonder

Just like David Koresh.