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Is there no volition? |
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John 15:4
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Dear fellow, Please understand that I mean dear, and I mean fellow. I am in no way being condescending. I don't know your name, your gender, your age, or your place of domicile. I know you only as a Christian. You are apparently well-read and fervent in your faith in Christ Jesus. I injected irony into my comments, and I did say, "...you believe...," which was inappropriate. You are correct in stating that you never mentioned the word election. For these I humbly apologize. This forum is for the benefit of all who read, of the many-membered body of Christ. It seems to me that your answers tend to be more theological or philosophical. I can see that you have spent a great deal of time studying the Bible and the works of others (dead and alive) that dedicated themselves to the study of the Bible. Though I also study, my calling leads me to be more concerned with the application of faith in everyday terms dealing with common folk. Very few people understand (or care) about how Hebrew and Greek applies to them. Few people really grasp the difference between 'produce' and 'bear' fruit. Even I know that my good works do not purchase my salvation, and I think that anybody who has come to a personal relationship with Jesus understands this. "Credit for us?"(scoff) Yes, I think we do participate in the battle against sin. I do understand that "all praise is God's," but we also enter the fray. Maybe you live in an environment with little temptation or trial. Where I live there are less than 1 percent professing Christians. Theoretical faith has little use. When someone asks me, "How do I abide in Christ?" I have to give them some practical direction, not a theological discourse. Winning arguments doesn't win souls here. It only further alienates those who are already convinced that all Christian are pedantic and arrogant. Please understand my point of view, and I will try to reciprocate. Back to this forum, I am under the impression that many who participate are searching for practical means of serving God. I hope be share with them, giving and receiving as we work out our salvation.
Peace to you, in Jesus' name. |
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Eternal Security and 2 Peter 2:20 ??? |
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2 Peter
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Guffaw! LOL! RoFL! I just looked up Luke 14:2. Howl! Cacchination! (regaining composure) chuckle, chuckle.
This discussion reminds me of me. Bless both of you saints. I am not Calvin's disciple, nor am I his 'pendulum swing' opposite number, Arminus' follower. I think both these guys let brains and brawn get out of hand, and denied the Spirit. I read with great interest these comments, and quite a few others in this line. I despise compromise for the sake of 'making everybody happy,' because obviously you cannot. However, I do believe the truth in this matter probably incorporates both arguments, in a much simpler manner than we are accustomed to. If Jesus were asked, He might answer, "Who?" Much in the same way, Paul asked, "Apollos who? Paul who?" (I Corinthians 3:4-9) Perhaps the word 'Election' with a capital "E" is the problem, or at least a great contributor. In a general sense, I must believe that God, without favor, offers the hope of salvation to all, regardless (irregardless? There IS such a word) of gender, race, location or situation. Knowing all things, God knows who will 'be there' at the final trumpet. There are there by His Grace, and by His grace alone. But those there DID respond, hopefully (a disjunct) with alacrity and continued response. We do seem to have an 'unforgivable sin' in Matthew 12 (unless of course believers are not believers without the Holy Spirit, assuming that everyone receives 'automatically'), but this can't be too easy to do, or none of us will qualify for 'election.' This is why, from a layman's point of view, I cannot accept 'once-saved-always-saved.' Surely, from God's divine viewpoint this may be true, but to us here, now, it is ludicrous. It is only to easy to say, "Right. Like Jim Jones." Our 'righteousness' of looking at things from God's eyes (impossible, anyway) alienates us from the down-to earth reality that most people perceive. Of course, I do not promote becoming an 'air-head' or 'loose-minded, loose-moraled(sorry)' emotional nitwit. (i.e. "Of course, a truly nice god would save EVERYBODY!") I do believe there is a balance. In my Bible, and in my heart (through the Spirit), I believe I am 'called.' Not only called to a specific ministry within His church, but generally called to be His. Thank You, Jesus. I know that I am stating both cases, indeed, this is my intent. I see, very clearly, pertinent arguments from both camps. Is it possible that both are valid, with a bit of moderation and the revelation of the Holy Spirit? I believe so! I would not want to 'wake up' in the Holy Presence, and find that one group or another was 'missing.' Please understand that I do not mean the same for all fringe aberrations of faith. Some will be shown to be just plain wrong. But, in this case, and perhaps several others, adjustment is necessary, not a total revamp. "...Let God is true, and all men liars..." Romans 3:4 May the peace AND truth be upon us all, in Christ Jesus. |
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Tongues,where scriptures |
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Acts 2:1
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On the day of Pentecost,as Jesus stated, He sent the Holy Spirit to the disciples. "Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them and rested on each of them. They were at this time filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in tongues. In 1 Cor 14 Paul teaches about the gift of tongues. He states that those who speak in tongues do not talk to others but to God and nobody understands them.
(v.2) and that the speech is unintelligible (v.9).
In 1Cor.13:1 Paul speaks of talking with the tongues of men and angels which indicates that languages other than the human language may be inspired by the Holy Spirit. Paul also lists tongues as one of the 9 gifts of the Holy Spirit (1Cor 12:10).
In Mark 16:17, Mark tells us that Jesus gave us a promise - "and those who believe; by using my name will speak in tongues".
In Eph 6:18 Paul tells us to pray in the Spirit in every prayer and supplication.
In Romans 8:26 - 27 Paul states that "the Spirit helps us in our time of weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we should" and that very Spirit intercedes for the saints with sighs too deep for words." God understands what we don't.
In Isaiah 28:11 Isaiah prophesies concerning tongues. He tell us that "He will speak with an alien tongue". |
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Believing in the Bible and E.T.'s |
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Not Specified
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Is it contradictory to believe in the Bible and also to believe in Extra Terrestrial Beings (i.e. aliens from other planets) |
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Believing in the Bible and E.T.'s |
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Eph 2:2
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Is it contradictory to believe in the Bible and also to believe in Extra Terrestrial Beings (i.e. aliens from other planets) |
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Believing in the Bible and E.T.'s |
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Eph 2:2
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God is so awesome. I read or learn something and the next day there is a question about it posted. The following comes from "The End Time Occult Invasion: Entertaining Spirits Unaware", a book that exposes many of the subtle deceptions of the evil one and provides tools to effectively combat the encroachment of the New Age and Occult into our lives and home.
Reports of visitors from other worlds are quite common in our society today. Reports have come from rural areas to large cities. Although credibility is questionable in some cases more than 1 astronaut has reported seeing alien craft while in space. Entire city populations have witnessed UFO events that could not be explained. It is hard not to believe in something that many, many people have been an eye witness to. Although I am unaware of any scriptures pertaining to E.T.'s and UFO's scripture does remind us that the devil IS the prince of the power of the air (Eph 2:2) and god of this world (2Cor 4:4). Remember, too, that there are instances throughout scripture that angels have appeared and operated in the physical realm. It is also interesting to note that radars have never detected any UFO's coming INTO our atmosphere although they have been tracked many times while here. When the authors of this book examined UFO and alien phenomenon from a biblical and New Age point of view there were striking parallels. First if you want to read any books on aliens you must go to the occult section of the library. This shows that aliens are closely linked with the occult. Most New Agers believe that aliens have chosen to enlighten them to communicate with them due to their spiritual "enlightenment.
The out growth of the UFO phenomomen doctrinally lines up with the world of the occult - not with God's word. If for no other reason, this is a good reason to believe that aliens are nothing more than demons in disguise weaving a web to attract millions today. Their is also, according to the authors Eric Barger and David Benoit, indeed reason to believe that UFO's originate from another dimension than from another planet. In synopsis I believe that it is not against the bible to believe in aliens. We must remember that Satan will and does use many means to deceive his prey. He is the father of lies and illusion.
I hope this helps some. |
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DINOSOURES OF ALIENS IN THE BIBLE? |
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Not Specified
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IS THERE ANY REFERENCE IN THE BIBLE TO DINOSOURES, OR ALIENS FROM OTHER PLANETS. I HAVE A GROUP OF 10-15 YEAR OLDS THAT I TEACH. THAT ALWAYS ARE ASKING THIS QUESTION. |
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DINOSOURES OR ALIENS IN THE BIBLE? |
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Not Specified
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IS THERE ANY REFERENCE IN THE BIBLE TO DINOSOURES, OR ALIENS FROM OTHER PLANETS. I HAVE A GROUP OF 10-15 YEAR OLDS THAT I TEACH. THAT ALWAYS ARE ASKING THIS QUESTION. |
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DINOSOURES OR ALIENS IN THE BIBLE? |
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Bible general Archive 1
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IS THERE ANY REFERENCE IN THE BIBLE TO DINOSOURES, OR ALIENS FROM OTHER PLANETS. I HAVE A GROUP OF 10-15 YEAR OLDS THAT I TEACH. THAT ALWAYS ARE ASKING THIS QUESTION. |
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DINOSOURES OR ALIENS IN THE BIBLE? |
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Bible general Archive 1
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This question has been discussed at this website previously. Hopefully, among the many postings, you will find one or more that makes sense to you.
. . . May I suggest that you go to the upper left hand side of your screen; click on Search; under "contain these words" type "dinosaurs", exactly as it is spelled here? There you will find 16 postings relating to your question. |
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DINOSOURES OF ALIENS IN THE BIBLE? |
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Bible general Archive 1
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IS THERE ANY REFERENCE IN THE BIBLE TO DINOSOURES, OR ALIENS FROM OTHER PLANETS. I HAVE A GROUP OF 10-15 YEAR OLDS THAT I TEACH. THAT ALWAYS ARE ASKING THIS QUESTION. |
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DINOSOURES OF ALIENS IN THE BIBLE? |
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Bible general Archive 1
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Duplicate posting of the same question, previously answered |
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DINOSOURES OR ALIENS IN THE BIBLE? |
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Bible general Archive 1
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I would like to suggest a book that will answer your questions about aliens: Entertaining Spirits Unaware by David Benoit and Eric Barger.
It is an excellent book to read especially for those who teach children. |
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DINOSOURES OF ALIENS IN THE BIBLE? |
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Bible general Archive 1
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As far as aliens are concerned, Ezekiel 1 speaks of the living creatures that sped back and forth like lightning (1:14).
Job 41:1 and Ps.104:26 speak of the Leviathan which could indicate the huge creatures we call dinosaurs.
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DINOSURES OR ALIENS IN BIBLE ? |
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Not Specified
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I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT DINOSOURS AND ALIENS. I TEACH A CLASS TO 11-15 YEAROLDS, AND THIS IS A QUESTION THAT IS ASKED OFFTEN. IS THERE ANY REF. TO DINISOURS OR PEOPLE FROM AN OTHER WORLD OTHER THEN ANGELS. |
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DINOSURES OR ALIENS IN BIBLE ? |
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Bible general Archive 1
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I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT DINOSOURS AND ALIENS. I TEACH A CLASS TO 11-15 YEAROLDS, AND THIS IS A QUESTION THAT IS ASKED OFFTEN. IS THERE ANY REF. TO DINISOURS OR PEOPLE FROM AN OTHER WORLD OTHER THEN ANGELS. |
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DINOSURES OR ALIENS IN BIBLE ? |
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Bible general Archive 1
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Please use the "Search" feature at the top left of your screen. Type in "dinosaur" and also "dinosour". You will find more than 20 entries regarding these creatures. The word "dinosaur" -- the correct spelling -- has been misspelled on this Forum in a number of innovative ways. -- Hank |
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DINOSURES OR ALIENS IN BIBLE ? |
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Bible general Archive 1
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Please forgive my oversight. Your question concerned aliens in addition to dinosaurs. Save for angels, which are not aliens from another planet but from heaven, the subject of extra-terrestrial aliens as we usually define the term, is alien to the Bible. --Hank |
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DINOSURES OR ALIENS IN BIBLE ? |
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Bible general Archive 1
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In the book of Job there are references to two strange creatures: the behemoth and the leviathan. Classical interpretation has taken these to be references to dinosaurs. Some Modern interpretators, have say that these behemoth is a hippo or an elephant, and that the leviathan refers to a crocodile. However, let's look as the passages in question.
Behemoth
Read Job 41:15-24. It seems very odd to think that this creature is a dinosaur.
Leviathan
Job 3:8 Let those curse it who curse the day, Who are prepared to rouse Leviathan.
Job 41:1 1 Can you draw out Leviathan with a fishhook? Or press down his tongue with a cord?
Psalm 74:14 You crushed the heads of Leviathan; You gave him as food for the creatures of the wilderness.
Psalm 104:26 There the ships move along, And Leviathan, which You have formed to sport in it.
Isaiah 27:1 In that day the LORD will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent, With His fierce and great and mighty sword, Even Leviathan the twisted serpent; And He will kill the dragon who lives in the sea.
Notice: crocodiles do not live in the sea. Therefore how can leviathan be a crocodile? I encourage you to read all of Job 41. This is most definitely not a crocodile.
As for otherworldly beings, there is no Scriptural evidence for their existence. I once had a teacher suggest that Jesus' comment that He had sheep of another flock might suggest aliend. However, it's abundantly clear that He's talking about Gentiles there, so please don't do something like that, bud.
In Christ,
Koinekid
"Upholding Scriptural Integrity, Accuracy, and Immutability" |
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difference in trinity and oneness |
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1 Tim 2:12
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RevC: Answer (short): The doctrine of the trinity is truly beyond human comprehension or the limits of our finite minds, but it is nevertheless a vital truth of the Bible. It is a doctrine that is closely connected to other key doctrines like the deity of Christ and the Holy Spirit. In fact, our salvation is rooted in the mysterious nature of the Godhead who coexists as three distinct Persons all of whom are involved in our salvation in all its aspects, past, present, and future. It encompasses everything we know and practice as Christians—our sanctification, our fellowship, our prayer life, our Bible study, or our corporate worship. That this is true and a precious truth for us to rest in is evident in Paul’s closing benediction in 2 Corinthians 13:14 and in Peter’s salutation and doxology in 1 Peter 1:1-5.
2 Cor. 13:14. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.
1 Peter 1:1-5. Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, that you may obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in fullest measure. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
May the Lord bless you in your study of His precious Word and in your walk with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
(Biblical Studies Foundation, Home of the New English Translation, http://www.bible.org/docs/theology/proper/trinity.htm) |
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You shall not Murder, then told too?? |
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OT general
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TShea,
It sounds like what you need is a definition of murder. Murder is the willful and unlawful taking of a human life (Jesus also adds that if we hate our neighbor in our hearts it's also murder). The Old Testiment itself gives example of murder and orders that the convicted murderer be executed (killed).
Numbers 35:15-24 'These six cities shall be for refuge for the sons of Israel, and for the alien and for the sojourner among them; that anyone who kills a person unintentionally may flee there. But if he struck him down with an iron object, so that he died, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death.
'If he struck him down with a stone in the hand, by which he will die, and as a result he died, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death. Or if he struck him with a wooden object in the hand, by which he might die, and as a result he died, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death.
'The blood avenger himself shall put the murderer to death; he shall put him to death when he meets him.
'If he pushed him of hatred, or threw something at him lying in wait and as a result he died, or if he struck him down with his hand in enmity, and as a result he died, the one who struck him shall surely be put to death, he is a murderer; the blood avenger shall put the murderer to death when he meets him.
'But if he pushed him suddenly without enmity, or threw something at him without lying in wait, or with any deadly object of stone, and without seeing it dropped on him so that he died, while he was not his enemy nor seeking his injury, then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the blood avenger according to these ordinances.
(See also Exodus 21:12-14).
So, you see, where as all murder is killing (even if it's in the heart), not all killing is murder, i.e. capital punishment is not murder.
Lionstrong |
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Christ dying only for elect? |
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Rom 5:6
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I believe that the doctrine of unlimited atonement is the scriptural view, and there are numerous verses that support it. In Luke 19:10, the "lost" refers to the collective whole of humanity, not just to the lost elect. In John 1:29, what is "the world" here? The world represents humanity in its fallen state, alienated from its Maker. Reformer John Calvin says of this verse, "When he says the sin of the world, he extends this favor indiscriminately to the whole human race." Though Calvin is often cited in favor of limited atonement, here is a clear statement in which unlimited atonement is his view. In John 3:16, it is critical to observe that John 3:16 cannot be divorced from the context this is set in verses 14 and 15, wherein Christ alludes to Numbers 21. In this passage Moses is seen setting up the brazen serpent in the camp of Israel, so that if "any man" looked to it, he experienced physical deliverance. In verse 15 Christ applies the story spiritually when He says that 'everyone who' believes on the uplifted Son of Man shall experience spiritual deliverance.In John 4:42, it is quite certain that when the Samaritans called Jesus "the Savior of the world," they were not thinking of the world of the elect.1 Timothy 4:10 shows a clear distinction between "all men" and "those who believe". Apparently the Savior has done something for all human beings, although it is less in degree than what He has done for those who believe. In other words, Christ has made a provision of salvation for all men, though it only becomes effective for those who exercise faith in Christ.Hebrews 2:9 contains the word 'everyone'. However, this word (Greek - pantos) is better translated 'each'. Why use the word pantos (each) rather than panton (all)? The singular brings out more emphatically the applicability of Christ's death to each individual human being. Christ tasted death for every single person. Romans 5:6 says 'ungodly'. It doesn't make much sense to read this as saying that Christ died for the ungodly among the elect. Rather the verse, read plainly, indicates that Christ died for all the ungodly of the earth.Romans 5:18, says "all men". Commenting on this verse, Calvin said, "Though Christ suffered for the sins of the whole world, and is offered through God's benignity indiscriminately to all, yet all do not receive Him". This sounds very much like Calvin was teaching unlimited atonement.1 John 2:2, Isaiah 53:6, and John 3:17 state CLEARLY that God has made the provision of salvation available to all human beings. In 2 Peter 2:1, we are told that Christ even paid the penalty of redemption for false teachers who deny Him. This passage seems to point out quite clearly that people for whom Christ died may be lost; there is a distinction between those for whom Christ died and those who are finally saved. In keeping with the above verses, there are also many verses which indicate that the gospel is to be universally proclaimed to all human beings.Matthew 24:14 "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come"Matthew 28:19 "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"Acts 1:8 "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (NIV)In view of such passages, it is legitimate to ask, if Christ died only for the elect, how can an offer of salvation be made to all persons without some sort of insincerity, artificiality, or dishonesty being involved in the process? Is it not improper to offer salvation to everyone if in fact Christ did not die to save everyone? The fact is, those who hold to limited atonement cannot say to any sinner with true conviction, "Christ died for you".How then, do we put the 'limited' and 'unlimited' verses together so that, taken as a whole, all verses are interpreted in a harmonious way without contradicting each other? I believe that seemingly restrictive references can be logically fit into an unlimited scenario much more easily than universal references can be made to fit into a limited atonement scenario. The two sets of passages-one seemingly in support of limited atonement, the other in support of unlimited atonement- are not irreconciable. While it is true that the benefits of Christ's death are referred to as belonging to God's 'sheep', His 'people' and the like, it would have to be shown that Christ died only for them in order for limited atonement to be true. No one denies that Christ died for God's 'sheep' and His 'people'. It is only denied that Christ died exclusively for them. Certainly if Christ died for the whole of humanity, there is no logical problem in saying that He died for a specific part of the whole. |
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Priority in the home. |
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1 Thess 4:11
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Dear Louder, I am very happy to hear that my words were a confirmation to you. I am a person pursuing simplicity, so please do not think you are troubling me. I am honored to help, and strengthened in my own walk by attempting to make this concept understandable.
1)Serve God- this is a no-brainer. "Now, therefore, fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord." Joshua 24:14 NASB. There are many verses that speak of serving God first and only. It is an attitude of he heart, a matter of trust and faith and submission.
2)Serve family- The act of serving God begins with serving your own family. This is not serving 'in the flesh' by bringing home a paycheck. This is caring and responsibility. Jesus said that we are to leave our homes and make our own (Matthew 19:5). Ephesians 5:22-6:4 tells us of the love that a family must share to glorify Jesus. Though nowhere says clearly "home-before-church," the qualifications of an elder-deacon in 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus clearly state that a servant of the church must first be a servant of his-her family.
3)Serve your local church- The next way to manifest our service to God is to serve His people, the body of Christ. "And sitting down, He called the twelve and said to them, "If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all." Mark 9:35 NASB. "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household," Ephesians 2:19ff NASB. When we become part of the Lord's church, we become part of His world-wide body of believers. However, the main manner in which we manifest this 'membership' is in the fellowship of the saints of a local expression of His body. The Bible speaks about commitment and service as a real thing, not a 'nebulous' feeling of togetherness. This is why 'para-church' is just that, a subsidiary function. These can never replace the holy responsibility toward a committed body of believers.
X)Serve your boss- We are clearly told to serve our earthly masters. "Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord." Colossians 3:22 NASB. (Remember, this is to be done 'as unto the Lord,' not as unto men, or as unto yourself.) I find it hard to place a clear priority 'number' on this one. I can find no exhortation to 'pursue a career' in the Bible. One may say that they didn't have careers back then, but this is not true. Even back then, they had the convoluted intrigues of public service, trade guilds, and religion. So the 'career-minded' Pharisees are a case-in-point against self-seeking job focus.
Also, the Scriptures and comments by Steve Butler are very good.
I pray that these (few) verses and comments will be of (para-church) service to you :-)
In Christ Jesus, charis |
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Are we all descendants of Adam and Eve? |
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Genesis
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Acts 17:26 and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation,
Yes, we are all descendants of Adam and Eve.
This revelation from God is wonderful, in contrast to evolution, which gives no basis for the unity of the human race, and hence, no equality among men or inalienable rights endowed by their Creator. Since evoloution operates on the basis of chance, the people in Africa could have evolved from a different set of monkeys than those in Asia, the Middle East, or the superior Arian race of Northern Europe. |
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Examine yourselves! |
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2 Cor 13:5
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Yet more from 1 John --
A growing estrangement from the values, enticements, pursuits, and sensibilities of the world -- together with false accusations and unmerited reactiveness from the world. (The feeling of being a sojourner or alien as in 1 Pe 2:11f)
1 John 3:1,13 See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.... Do not be surprised, brethren, if the world hates you. |
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Please explain |
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Matt 7:13
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"Because over the last 28 years I have studied and expositionally preached through nearly all the New Testament, my own original research was available to be summarized into the NT study notes. A team composed of The Master's Seminary faculty and editors at Grace to You, who work regularly editing my books, accepted the task of spending long hours culling the salient features from my research into study note form. Likewise, from that first draft, I worked to bring the material to its final form."
"With gratitude most of all to our glorious God who gave us His precious Word, do I pray that He will be honored by this effort to explain what His Word means by what it says."
JOHN MACARTHUR
Taken from "Personal Notes" on page xi and xii of The MacArthur NKJV Study Bible. |
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Year of Jubilee possible in capitalism? |
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Lev 25:33
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What is the significance in a Year of Jubilee? Or why did God create such an 'expansion' of the Sabbath day by creating this ordinance?
For basically four reasons:
1) The periodical fallow- this is a common provision in agriculture and the seven years' period is still observed today in Syria. Since the fallow year was not at first everywhere simultaneous, the earlier historical books are silent about it; and indeed it cannot have been generally observed. For the 70 years' captivity and desolation of the land was regarded as making up for the unobserved Sabbaths of the land (2 Chr. 36:21, Lev. 26:34,43). The reference in Nehemiah 10:31 could be to the periodic fallow or remission of debts.
2) The emancipation of slaves (Jer. 34:8-9). Such a provision must have been extremely difficult to enforce! This is the only reference to it.
3) The remission or suspension of debts. The only reference is the dubious one found in Nehemiah 10:31..
4) The redemption of real property. This is not uncommon in other countries. Jeremiah 32:6, Ruth 4, Ezekiel 7:13; 46:17 shows that something like this did exist in Palestine. But it was in no sense 'universal', since Isaiah and Micah speak of 'land grabbing'; on the other hand, 1 Kings 21:3-4 gives us an example of the inalienability of land.
Even though God provided Israel with this "Year of Jubilee" ordinance, we have no sign that the sabbatical and jubilee provisions were ever strictly observed in Biblical times. Their principles of rest and redemption, though never practiced as a piece of social politics, were preached as ideals, and may have had some effect in discouraging slave-owning, land-grabbing, and usury, and in encouraging a more merciful view of the relations between Jew and Jew. Isaiah 61:1-3 is steeped in Jubilee phraseology, and Christ adopted this passage to explain His own mission (Luke 4:18)..
Nolan |
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Bible and evolution both? |
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Gen 1:1
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Hi. If I may say so, I do respect your opinion, but would like to offer some clarification concerning the "evolution" to which I believe we are speaking.
It's a distinction I think is important for any and all Christians to understand when expressing beliefs. I could write that I too believe in evolution, but my understanding of that word and the reader's understanding of it may be two VERY different things!
Hank can correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe his original question refers to "macro-evolution," not "micro-evolution" aka "speciation". Micro-evolution is the theory that certain things alter slightly to form a new species of the same kind of animal or plant, such as a coyote, wolf, and poodle being different species of the same dog-kind, or even Darwin's famous finches. I do believe that's the evolution you were addressing, but I think the topic is actually macro-evolution, which is the total leap from one thing to another... one kind evolving into a totally different kind (a dinosaur to a bird, a rodent-like fox to a horse, a "missing link" to a monkey and a man) and even one non-living thing suddenly springing to life, aka "spontaneous generation"... gas, liquid, and stone suddenly turning into living plants and breathing beings. This giant leap from non-living to living known as macro-evolution, it is theorized, happened through "purely natural selection and totally by chance"--albeit fortunately enough for us who are here! :) ... But please note that it is totally exclusive of a Creator; NO God allowed! And, wouldn't you know it, people accept this theory even though there is not one shred of scientific evidence to support it ever happening today, or in the past (no matter how many millions of years are included in the equation). One scientist even theorized that highly intelligent "aliens" provided the means of life on this planet from which "(macro-)evolved" all other living things!
While the creation theory (and the Bible) allows (quite readily) for micro-evolution, for which there is some scientific evidence to substantiate it, the theory does not allow at all for the possibility of macro-evolution.
Can Christians believe in "micro-evolution" better known as speciation? Sure. Macro-evolution? Not if they accept God's Word as true, which states absolutely that "In the beginning GOD CREATED..."
Prayerfully,
Brandi
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A Hostile Environment |
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Eph 6:12
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Blessings Lionstrong!
The topic of a "hostile environment" is an excellent topic to ponder in light of these verses and the fact that we, as Christians, are 'alien' to this world! :)
Excellent study!
Nolan |
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