A good interview here by Pastor Wayne Cordeiro on all the craziness that is ongoing.

Good interview by him.
I cringe a bit when people bring god into this since the bible doesn't address vaccination. I think people find ways to make the religion fit their ideas. And worse yet I see people claiming to represent Christianity behave in ways that are not christian. Christians who are failing to love their neighbors regardless of vaccine status.

I did read a passage in the bible last night which did stand out to me though. I am not going to claim it was talking about vaccines or any stretch like that but I found it an interesting guide to christians.
Galatians 5:13
"You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love."

I can't help but think passage tells us we shouldn't be so concerned with how a behavior is our freedom to do but instead concerned with how a behavior serves out neighbor.

The bible isn't particularly vocal about freedoms we hold dear today so when people try to link freedoms to christianity I think they are making up their own religion. The only freedom that the bible really covers is the freedom from sin through Jesus. Jesus didn't teach freedom from taxes, freedom of speech, or even freedom from slavery.

Dont forget the state shut down churches until people made a fuss. U know that whole freedom of religion thing.

So state did whatever they wanted until they got caught.

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Dont forget the state shut down churches until people made a fuss. U know that whole freedom of religion thing.

So state did whatever they wanted until they got caught.

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

What really bothered me was the inconsistent shutdowns of churches. Churches were shut down as non-essential but liquor stores could remain open for example.

I don't think freedom of religion is a trump all. If we had a blackout mandate during wartime to hide from enemy bombers I don't think a church can hold a Christmas lighting ceremony and claim "freedom of religion"

Churches absolutely serve an important function though, they are social networks and they are means of support for certain people. They can't simply be shut down while other gatherings get the ok.

Good interview by him.
I cringe a bit when people bring god into this since the bible doesn't address vaccination. I think people find ways to make the religion fit their ideas. And worse yet I see people claiming to represent Christianity behave in ways that are not christian. Christians who are failing to love their neighbors regardless of vaccine status.

I did read a passage in the bible last night which did stand out to me though. I am not going to claim it was talking about vaccines or any stretch like that but I found it an interesting guide to christians.
Galatians 5:13
"You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love."

I can't help but think passage tells us we shouldn't be so concerned with how a behavior is our freedom to do but instead concerned with how a behavior serves out neighbor.

The bible isn't particularly vocal about freedoms we hold dear today so when people try to link freedoms to christianity I think they are making up their own religion. The only freedom that the bible really covers is the freedom from sin through Jesus. Jesus didn't teach freedom from taxes, freedom of speech, or even freedom from slavery.

There's a reason Bible Study Classes exist.  If the Bible were written so the average person could do an online search and see what it says you should do and how to behave in all situations, there would be no need to study it.

The Bible is not intended to be taken literally, New Testament more so than the Old Testament. 

Let's do a thought experiment    ...

The Constitution protects a dozen or more individual civil rights enumerated in the Amendments and called "The Bill of Rights."  Does the Constitution say what you, as an individual, must do to exercise that right.  It does place limitations on the GOVERNMENT, though, so that the rights are not violated and infringed upon.  Whether or not an individual is within their right to behave or speak a certain way is up for INTERPRETATION.

The Bible is a lot like that.  It's open to interpretation when trying to apply Its wisdom to a specific situation or behavior.  The church has long been the arbiter of the Bible's meaning, but as time has unfolded, new situations and questions have also presented themselves requiring new applications and interpretations of the scriptures.

The Bible isn't particularly vocal about many things we hold dear, not just rights.  The Bible has been called "God's Law" by many, which I think better describes the Old Testament.  The New Testament provides a single, greater law above all others:  Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

In other words, live your life with empathy for others.  If you were in their shoes, how would you want to be treated?

So, let's look at the Second Amendment in the context of the Bible.  (why reinvent the wheel?  Watch the video!):

There's a reason Bible Study Classes exist.  If the Bible were written so the average person could do an online search and see what it says you should do and how to behave in all situations, there would be no need to study it.

The Bible is not intended to be taken literally, New Testament more so than the Old Testament. 

Let's do a thought experiment    ...

The Constitution protects a dozen or more individual civil rights enumerated in the Amendments and called "The Bill of Rights."  Does the Constitution say what you, as an individual, must do to exercise that right.  It does place limitations on the GOVERNMENT, though, so that the rights are not violated and infringed upon.  Whether or not an individual is within their right to behave or speak a certain way is up for INTERPRETATION.

The Bible is a lot like that.  It's open to interpretation when trying to apply Its wisdom to a specific situation or behavior.  The church has long been the arbiter of the Bible's meaning, but as time has unfolded, new situations and questions have also presented themselves requiring new applications and interpretations of the scriptures.

The Bible isn't particularly vocal about many things we hold dear, not just rights.  The Bible has been called "God's Law" by many, which I think better describes the Old Testament.  The New Testament provides a single, greater law above all others:  Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

In other words, live your life with empathy for others.  If you were in their shoes, how would you want to be treated?

So, let's look at the Second Amendment in the context of the Bible.  (why reinvent the wheel?  Watch the video!):

Agreed. One of the things I was sort of getting at is that the bible doesn't weigh in on a lot of the issues we all bicker back and forth over. Probably the best example was how Jesus didn't weigh in on slavery. People say slavery was bad but Jesus didn't stop it so he wasn't good. My general response was that Jesus was concerned with a much more important message than the politics of man. He did however certainly teach us things which could serve as a guide. Love your neighbor specifically comes to mind.

As for bible study classes I am on the fence about that one. I have heard it said before that a man could be on a dessert island and a bible washes up and it would be sufficient for the man to be saved. Yet I opted for a study bible because I don't find it as easy as that either.

Agreed. One of the things I was sort of getting at is that the bible doesn't weigh in on a lot of the issues we all bicker back and forth over. Probably the best example was how Jesus didn't weigh in on slavery. People say slavery was bad but Jesus didn't stop it so he wasn't good. My general response was that Jesus was concerned with a much more important message than the politics of man. He did however certainly teach us things which could serve as a guide. Love your neighbor specifically comes to mind.

As for bible study classes I am on the fence about that one. I have heard it said before that a man could be on a dessert island and a bible washes up and it would be sufficient for the man to be saved. Yet I opted for a study bible because I don't find it as easy as that either.

Does Jesus NEED to address slavery?

Why doesn't the #1 law from the New Testament cover slavery, too?  Would you want others to enslave you? 

Seems like that whole "Do unto others" thing is just about as broad and direct as we need it to be.

Part of the plan for Jesus' death was to be sacrificed as an innocent man.  If he opposed the government or traditions dealing with slavery, he could have been charged with a crime -- no longer innocent.  In the end, it was the religious leaders who charged Jesus with treason, saying he claimed to be the King of the Jews.  On the crucifix where he died was a sign that read "INRI" which is an abbreviation for the Latin translation of Pilate’s charge, Iesus Nazarenus, Rex Iudaeorum (Jesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews).

Technically, Jesus never committed a crime, as it was his followers who claimed Jesus was King of the Jews. 

So, if calling yourself a king is treason, I wonder what the penalty for speaking against slavery would have been?

Not a big fan of PW or mega churches, and I don’t agree with some of his opinions, but what I really noticed is the tone

He’s worried about the dangers of a divided society and the exploitation of the work force

It looks like by trying to cancel religion the left ended up breathing new life and sense of purpose into it

Similar to Trump, if the worst people in the world hate it the there must be some value after all

Similar to Trump, if the worst people in the world hate it the there must be some value after all

And if the fake news is reporting or supporting it, it's probably BS.