[Vision2020] Is there a correct interpretation of the bible?
Art Deco
deco@moscow.com
Sat, 17 Jan 2004 09:39:12 -0800
It would be hard to find any Christian group whose beliefs were consistent
with the whole bible as it now exists or existed before the current contents
of the bible were declared. [The study of how the current bible came to be
is a fascinating story of politics, economics, crime, and superstition.]
For example, I do not know of any formal Christian group that takes all of
Leviticus as seriously as they do Mark. Yet, Jesus said at one point that
all the old laws (Torah) still hold.
The other problem concerns what Jesus really said. The Jesus Seminar, made
up of many committed, believing Christian scholars, claims that only 15% of
the words ascribed to Jesus in the New Testament were actually uttered by
him. The arguments made two best selling books published by reputable
publishers are much more convincing than those of out untutored, local cult
leader.
If you open mindedly read these books written committed Christians, it is
probable that your faith will undergo a large, cleansing transformation.
This problem of the authenticity of religious claims based on the alleged
historical accuracy of the New testament has been intensely discussed by
Christians scholars since the 19th century. {See The Quest for the
Historical Jesus, printed in the early 20th century.}
Unlike the problem of finding the specific gravity of zinc or what causes
measles, there is no widely accepted, convincing way of establishing the
truth of any interpretation of the bible. If there were, then there would
not be several thousand Christian sects and millions of differing Christian
beliefs.
Wayne Fox
----- Original Message -----
From: <pkraut@moscow.com>
To: "Art Deco" <deco@moscow.com>
Sent: Friday, January 16, 2004 10:29 PM
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] RE: A Liberal World
> Well of course they can. But does it fit into the Whole book or just part
of
> it??
>
> > The groups of whom I speak can quote scripture as well as any other to
> > support their beliefs.
> >
> > Wayne Fox
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: <pkraut@moscow.com>
> > To: "Art Deco" <deco@moscow.com>
> > Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2004 9:41 PM
> > Subject: Re: [Vision2020] RE: A Liberal World
> >
> >
> > > Anyone can call themselves Christian or say they have a Christian
church
> > but if
> > > it does not hold up to what the Book tells us what a Christian is then
> > they are
> > > not Christian. It does not make what they do 'right' it only makes is
self
> > > serving.
> > > PK
> > >
> > > > There are several Christian churches and societies that espouse
nudism.
> > > > In the 50's and 60's most of the nudist colonies in southern
California
> > > > were Christian-based organizations.
> > > >
> > > > Their reasoning is thus: Once I have accepted Jesus Christ as my
> > > > personal savior and declare my love for God, I am absolved from all
> > > > original sin. Among the fall-out from this belief is that one
should no
> > > > longer feel the shame of nudity; in fact, it would be an insult to
God
> > > > and Jesus to do so.
> > > >
> > > > Wayne Fox
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > > From: Crysta Falcon
> > > > To: vision2020@moscow.com
> > > > Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2004 12:18 PM
> > > > Subject: [Vision2020] RE: A Liberal World
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Mike,
> > > >
> > > > Before this Liberal World string gets out of hand, if it hasn't
> > > > already, I think a return to the issue is important.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Your simple question is "What's the point to a liberal stance on
> > > > clothing and sexuality?"
> > > >
> > > > I will highlight the main point of Dr. Geir's anecdote (as well as
> > > > Ted's of Vancouver B.C.). The choice to wear or not wear clothing,
as
> > > > demonstrated by the previous examples, has led to less obsession
over
> > > > sexuality. That's not to say, nor has it been proven, everyone will
run
> > > > around topless, but rather the trend is toward fewer or at least
> > > > healthier obsessions with what is "behind the curtain". Furthermore,
as
> > > > demonstrated here in Moscow, the few years that tops were optional
for
> > > > all hardly led to rampant breast baring (sorry Carl).
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > To take the point further, that means less embarrassment toward
> > > > sexuality in societies that do not taboo exposed anatomy. This could
> > > > lead to a general more openness about STDs and pregnancy. (I'm
> > > > speculating at this point. I really have no background in sociology
or
> > > > psychology; however. the facts kind of speak alone.) This could lead
to
> > > > more prevention of STD's and accidental pregnancy. That's all I'm
> > > > saying.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Crysta Falcon
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > ----------------------------
> > > >
> > > > Original Message:
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Hello all,
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > As I was reading Dr. Gier's letter regarding the progressive
stance on
> > > > clothing and sexuality in Denmark, it occurred to me that there
seems to
> > > > be a particular direction the liberal folks would like society to
go.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > The question that springs to mind from all this is: If there
weren't
> > > > any Christians getting in the way of progress and the liberal folks
> > > > could have everything they wanted with no restrictions, what would
the
> > > > world look like? And specifically, what would Moscow look like?
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Thanks,
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Mike Lawyer
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
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> > >
> > >
> >
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