From the outside looking in, the Christian faith can often appear somewhat of a paradox.
- One the one hand we have a book which instructed and eye for an eye then Jesus turned around and told us to turn the other cheek.
- Jesus gave a warning about how offended he would be if we did this to the least of his children, whilst king David desires to smash the babies of his enemies against the wall.
- We have Solomon teaching that wine is a mocker whilst Jesus miraculously turns water into wine at a wedding feast.
- We have Paul telling the Gentiles not to subscribe to laws of Israel while himself keeping them and indeed circumsing one, Timothy
- We have a story where the sun stood still to prolong a war, yet believe the earth circles around the sun and not vice versa
Now before I am summoned by the great leaders and ministers and taken away to be tried for heresy, understand this....I believe every thing must be taken into context and understood for what it is. What was the reason for the text, who was the author speaking to, was it as a method of explanation or literal application? How can Christians communicate a truth when even they sometimes cannot agree on what means??
This understanding does not come about by straightforward just looking at the Bible of beliefs of the Christian faith, but by a deep and meaningful relationship with God. Anyone can read the Bible, but it takes deep an meaningful prayer and communion with God to STUDY it. With such wisdom comes an desire to place what we understand in context and be able to share such truth with meakness, respect and authority to whoever we meet, like Jesus with the woman from Samaria. Maybe the message might not be accepted but at least a difference would be made, thus unravelling what at first appears to be a paradox
God bless you as you journey
Dave
- One the one hand we have a book which instructed and eye for an eye then Jesus turned around and told us to turn the other cheek.
- Jesus gave a warning about how offended he would be if we did this to the least of his children, whilst king David desires to smash the babies of his enemies against the wall.
- We have Solomon teaching that wine is a mocker whilst Jesus miraculously turns water into wine at a wedding feast.
- We have Paul telling the Gentiles not to subscribe to laws of Israel while himself keeping them and indeed circumsing one, Timothy
- We have a story where the sun stood still to prolong a war, yet believe the earth circles around the sun and not vice versa
Now before I am summoned by the great leaders and ministers and taken away to be tried for heresy, understand this....I believe every thing must be taken into context and understood for what it is. What was the reason for the text, who was the author speaking to, was it as a method of explanation or literal application? How can Christians communicate a truth when even they sometimes cannot agree on what means??
This understanding does not come about by straightforward just looking at the Bible of beliefs of the Christian faith, but by a deep and meaningful relationship with God. Anyone can read the Bible, but it takes deep an meaningful prayer and communion with God to STUDY it. With such wisdom comes an desire to place what we understand in context and be able to share such truth with meakness, respect and authority to whoever we meet, like Jesus with the woman from Samaria. Maybe the message might not be accepted but at least a difference would be made, thus unravelling what at first appears to be a paradox
God bless you as you journey
Dave