I
Hi, *** Now I read your reply thoroughly.
Your view to Christian faith is very Judaic. I think Christian ought to tolerate even heretical views.
Christianity is a religion of love, acceptance and clemency.
We need to distinguish the features of Jewish God and Christian God
Jewish God wanted us to show exclusive devotion to Him, while Christian God is God for all humans and nationals and He wants us to show exclusive devotion to humans to save themselves, not to God. The difference is clear!
This is just one example.
There are many others. I will show them next time.
Good night!
II
Okay. Shall we see in Daiei same place at eight in the evening on ninth?
I forgot where but in Hebrew Bible Jehovah called himself a god of jealousy.
Also He is a god of revenge as He says 'Vengeance is mine'
Will you confirm ?
I bring Bible.
See you there!
This idea of Christianity as a religion of love seems to get used in ways it wasn't meant to be. For example, throughout His ministry, Jesus denounced the Pharisees publicly for their hypocrisy, spiritual blindness, and evil ways. That's not much in the way of tolerance or love as person I speaks of above.
ReplyDeleteChristians are still obligated to call out evil and immorality when they see it, it's just they can't say whether or not any give person will be going to heaven or hell no matter how evil or immoral that person may seem to them.
The Christian position is something like: "It's your duty to hate the sin BUT to love the sinner". Christians may point out hypocrisy etc., but they can't judge the hypocrite as a worse person than others, including themselves. Only the one who is without sin can throw stones.
ReplyDeletePointing out what people do wrong can be an act of love. If I reproach my child for stealing from a shop, I don't do it for the shopkeeper's sake, primarily; I do it for the child's sake.
Very good response. But the act of being chastised for doing wrong won't sound or feel like love to most people. The way Jesus went after the Pharisees certainly doesn't sound very loving on the surface of it. Only in the sense that he hopes that their mending their ways will gain them acceptance into heaven can it be said to be loving. Otherwise it just sounds mean and petty :P
ReplyDeleteBut, I still think my initial point remains valid - a lot of people have taken the idea of Christian love and twisted into something other than what it was really meant to be.
Mending their ways would also benefit heaps of other people here on Earth - and He loved them.
ReplyDeleteThe only one who can tell me what Christian love was really meant to be is my own heart. I respect that other people follow their heart as well.
Our God is a JEALOUS GOD ,He said " Have no other Gods before Me " and He did say " Vengeance is MINE ,I WILL Repay " .If it is broke down to simple words ,Jewish & Christain are a lot alike. All the same rules still apply . To everyone , no matter what .
ReplyDeleteThat is a matter of interpretation.
ReplyDeleteThe new covenant replaces the old one, I've been told - in YOUR church. Some of the ten commandments no doubt apply, but Jesus himself was accused of breaking the sabbath.
The Mosaic diet rules no longer apply; you can read that in Deeds 15.
Where does Jesus talk about a revengeful God?
I'm not surprised to hear such ambivalence in Christianity since religion is in essence mysterious.
ReplyDeleteSecular people have fully developed super-ego. Religious people call this super-ego 'God' and personify. Super-ego can tell what is right or wrong.
ReplyDeleteOriginally vengeance belongs to humans as described eyes for eyes, teeth for teeth in Hammurabi code. God one day realised it's not a good idea to leave revenge to each humans since that only leads to endless conflict in natural conditions.
ReplyDeleteThen God declared 'Vengeance is mine'
People stop fighting and learned to leave their revenge to the rule of law. Human society started moving toward civilisation.
Christianity was more advanced since it taught humans ought to give up revenge and learn to forgive their enemies.
This is ideal but Christians are people who are eager to realise this ideal society.
I´m a christian and I can say I´m a practicing christian. Of course we can´t be perfect.
ReplyDeleteJesus came among others to once and for all erase the original sin committed by Adam and Eve. Now, people would say things against Jesus, but we don´t really know what happens when the critical moment comes (at the face of death).
A very essential point is to understand what Jesus meant when he said he came to "heal the sick" or "to gather his sheep".
Humans ought not judge their fellow for two reasons: Humans aren´t free of sin so they shouldn´t throw any stone (see in the New Testament about the woman who committed adultery), secondly it´s God´s exclusive right to judge, thus the saying "Vegeance is mine".
I´ve said it before and I say it again: Faith is our very personal relationship to our God.
Christianity emerged out of Judaism, yes, because Jesus was a Jew. But Christianity can never be Judaism and vice-versa for so many reasons, for example, the Jews are still waiting for the Messiah.
And it is written "Do not pour new wine into old wineskins, the wineskin would burst and the wine would be spilled to the ground and wasted". Jesus came to bring a new commandment: "to love not only those who love you but also those who do you wrong". This is a very important commandment, and if we all followed this, there would be no war.
But as I´ve said, we aren´t perfect. As long as we are here - on our pilgrimage - we constantly face situations wherein we have to choose between evil and good. There´s no compromise. And I agree with Ulla. The heart knows what is right.
Let´s then work on our personal healing - then only then can we contribute to world healing.
Love.
And before I forget, religion can´t heal. Religion is (only) an instrument. It´s like a house, but not a home. It´s like a deep sea you are in wherein you have to swim in order not to drown.
ReplyDeleteReligion can show you the way, but it´s you who must put your steps forward in order to reach your goal.
Thank you, my dearest. I think this includes the duty to love those who believe in fewer or more sacraments than we - or in none.
ReplyDeleteWe can show people that Christian love simply works, as you have shown me. We can pray for those who for reasons often unknown to us can't share it. We can't judge, and we can't presume that we know how God will judge.
Thanks, Ulla.
ReplyDeleteYes, one of the basic duties of a christian is to pray daily for universal peace, for other people esp. those who do not accept the Creator, etc.
Exactly.
ReplyDeleteJesus came to bring a new commandment: "to love not only those who love you but also those who do you wrong". This is a very important commandment, and if we all followed this, there would be no war.
I think you grasp the very essence of Christianity.
Love.
Love is the highest priority Jesus taught.
Very impressive word. I hope as many Christians as possible are as you.
ReplyDeleteSo do I!!! She's a wonderful person.
ReplyDeleteWell, it´s a way of life - and it´s a blessing. We can choose, can´t we?
ReplyDeleteThanks again, Ulla! You have a compassionate heart!
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you, too, Mercedo, for posting this very interesting topic. I´m aware you are a very remarkable Christian yourself. Keep up the good work!