Should the Refugees Be Helped?

This from the CHRISTIAN bible … Matthew 25:41-46 (NRSV):

Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?’ Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.

Can it be made any clearer?

ANY Christian that believes and lives by the words above and then declares the U.S. should not accept and help the refugees is, by Jesus’ own words, “accursed” and will “go away into eternal punishment.”

“It’s days like this … “

Starbucks Red Holiday Cups

“I might be a Christian, but it’s days like this I pray to be Atheist. I wish my people had the empathy, intelligence and levelheadedness of most non-believers I know. The world would be a much happier and peaceful place — matter of fact, if those of us who believe in Christ acted more like those who don’t, it would almost create Heaven on Earth. (ok, that might be a stretch… but it sure would be something to behold)

You see the thing about most Atheists is, they see this as their one and only shot. (espresso pun intended) It’s something about this ideology that creates a mindset to live a life, which those of us looking in, appears more Christlike than those of us that are just doing the least we can get away with down here. Yet still make it through those pearly gates.

We deny science, we are destroying this planet, we mock what we do not understand, we as a religion are the creators of war and famine, we stand over everyone else and shame them for their disbelief or different belief, and we are never HERE… we are not living in the “right now.” We are always thinking “when will we finally get out of this place?” The “rapture” and “afterlife” failsafes are not serving us.

It’s like your high school teacher telling the class, “don’t worry if you almost fail the midterm, just make sure you get a passing “D” and I’ll give you an “A” on the final even if you skip school on the last day of class.” I swear to God it baffles me that I am even a Christian. But I am, I can’t explain it, and I don’t feel the need to. But I am also grateful I have a brain that allows for critical thinking… one that says “this might be it.” So take a note from the Atheists’ playbook and live your life like it is. Isn’t that what Christ would ask of us anyway?

Or would he be pissed at the red cups at Starbucks?

– k. neven, senior staff writer for American News X

 

Job and the Big Bad Guy

In this post by Siriusbizinus, there was reference to another blog where the writer seems to ridicule what he considers the atheist’s take on the story of Job. I barely skimmed the other blog posting, but it did get me to thinking about the story of Job and how (mostly Fundamental) Christians believe that “Satan” played such an important role in what happened to Job.

If you’ve read my book, you know I don’t believe in the existence of “Satan.” So how then do I explain what happened to Job?

From my book (Chapter 5):

In the prologue of Job’s book, we are told that “Satan” joined some angels (heavenly beings) for a meeting with God (Job 1:6). Surprisingly, it seemed to be a fairly friendly encounter – certainly not what you would expect if this was the Big Bad Guy! It took only a little investigation to discover why. The word used here is exactly the same as the examples cited previously; that is, ha-satan. In fact, there is a footnote in nearly every English Bible that indicates the more literal translation is “accuser.”

*****

However, this still didn’t explain why God allowed ha-satan to wreak havoc on Job’s life. With a little more delving, I learned that this particular “accuser” had a special function in God’s divine court. It was his job to “go to and fro on the earth” and look for any signs of disloyalty among humans and then report on them to his Supervisor. Elaine Pagels (The Origin of Satan: How Christians Demonized Jews, Pagans, and Heretics) describes him as a “roving intelligence agent.”  Several other sources call him “God’s prosecuting attorney.” The important thing to note is that it was not his job to stir up trouble, just to report on it. He worked for God, not against God.

During this particular heavenly meeting, the adversary speculates about Job’s dedication and commitment. He points out that it’s easy to be faithful when someone lives such a charmed life. God disagrees, but decides to allow the accuser to test Job. Important note: the “Satan” in this story is not an independent agent. He is a member of God’s heavenly court and must have God’s permission before he can do anything.

Job is an interesting story and one that many scholars believe is nothing more than a type of folk tale (parable, fable, allegory) written to assure the Israelites living during the terrible times of the Exile that God remained faithful. Fundamental Christians, on the other hand, prefer to see the story quite differently. For them, the story is totally true with Job as a prototype of Jesus (the “Man of Sorrows”) and “Satan” as the supernatural Big Bad Guy harassing a faithful man of God.

Added note: I did see one thing on the other blog that stood out. The blogger wrote (referencing theologian John Gill, 1697-1771):

Satan, although an angelic being, is fallen, sinful, reprobate and so had “no proper business there …”

Of course, my natural question is where in the bible does it say — and don’t reference “Lucifer” in Isaiah because you would be wrong (a posting for another time) – that Satan is a fallen, sinful, and reprobate angelic being?

Are You “Saved”?

 

I have a few Christian “followers” — and these questions are mostly directed to them. However, everyone/anyone can feel free to jump in at anytime.

1. What were the requirements you had to fill to be “saved” in your denomination?
2. How did you know you were “saved”?
3. What do you need to do to stay “saved”?
4. Is it your belief that if a person leaves the faith, they were not “saved” in the first place? If so, why?
5. If your answer to #4 is “yes,” what must the person do to truly be “saved”?
6. If your answer to #4 is “no,” can the person be “re-saved”? If so, what must they do?

Jesus and the Big Picture

For those who read this blog on a somewhat regular basis, you know that I often refer to postings on the Finding Truth blog. Nate has developed quite a following and the discussions there often get pretty heated.

A participant in one of his recent postings is an individual who goes by the name of “Kathy.” This person, for all intents and purposes, is a Christian. She appears to believe God is real and the bible is his message to the world.

While many on the Finding Truth blog tend to believe there are contradictions and/or errors within the holy book, Kathy staunchly defends “The Word” by claiming she is the only one who is looking “objectively” at the scriptures in question. She further claims that all who disagree with her are doing so because of their “liberal” (atheist) perspective.

In one of her defenses against bible inconsistencies, she made this comment: “We can TRUST the ENTIRE Bible because it was approved by God. You are focusing on things that are INSIGNIFICANT.. because again, it reveals what is in your heart. If your questions related to contradictions in the actual MESSAGE of the Bible, then I could see your point.. but times and dates.. it just doesn’t matter in the big picture of what Jesus did for US on the cross.“ (Emphasis mine)

THE BIG PICTURE

At the heart of Christianity is the belief that salvation comes through believing in Jesus and his atoning death on the cross. Few are aware this doctrine was never mentioned, promoted, or taught by Jesus himself. Nor is it addressed anywhere in the Hebrew Bible. OT scriptures used by church leaders today to corroborate this teaching did not hold the same meaning to the ancient Jews. In fact, it wasn’t until (the apostle) Paul developed his theology about who Jesus was and why he came that things changed.

This change didn’t occur overnight. It was primarily through the plethora of Paul’s letters that (some of) the early Jews began to view the ancient texts in a new way. Using his skills as an eloquent writer, a powerful and charismatic orator, and an effective evangelist, Paul was eventually able to convince them that Yeshua was the long-awaited Messiah.

But he didn’t stop there. Since he had abolished the Torah as a requirement for salvation (Galatians 3:10), it was necessary for him to put a new requirement into place that would ensure Yahweh‘s approval. This he did by developing the doctrine of “original sin” (humanity’s state of sin resulting from the fall of man), and pointing out that only through faith in his “Christ” could anyone gain favor with God.

In other words, the conception that Christians have today about “what Jesus did for US on the cross” is based solely on the teachings of Paul — teachings that originated from his reported “vision” of a disembodied Jesus.

“Paul’s words are not the Words of God. They are the words of Paul — a vast difference.”
— John Shelby Spong