For anyone who studies the Christian Bible?

Question

Is this a sound theological stance?

When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realised that the Lord doesn't work that way so I stole one and asked Him to forgive me. Emo Philips, comedian

Answer 1

Yep. That's how christianity works.

We're taught to pray for what we want and at the same time told 'god helps those who help themselves'. So we go out and steal what we want, or work our asses off just to get no where and steal it anyway and then confess and all is forgiven. Gotta love it. LOL

Answer 2

Well, the Lord isn't Santa Clause, but he did seem to have a rule on stealing somewhere in the old testament. I remember it being a commandment. Maybe you've heard of this thing they call a Commandment? Gun happy Charlton Heston was in the movie version (wasn't as good as the book imo). Maybe Emo hasn't witnessed those amazing special effects. If he had he'd be in awe. In awe, I say.

Answer 3

You're going to need more than someone who has studied the bible to answer that. And then you have to decide WHICH theology you are working off of.

From a very generic point of view, if the kid's realization meant that God doesn't answer prayers (or just doesn't listen), then why would he ask for forgiveness?

Answer 4

Intentionally going against God because you know He'll forgive you goes against the spirit of grace and forgiveness that He has given us. While God will forgive us if we are honestly repentant, the forgiveness was meant more as a "safety net of sorts" for when we screw up accidentally (which is inevitable) but not to take advantage of the forgiveness.

I would say no, it isn't sound to intentionally go against God. Would you stick around for a friend that takes advantage of you all the time?

Answer 5

No.

1) We are to ask that God's will be done on earth. Period.

2) We are to follow God's commandments, and "Thou shalt not steal" is one of them.

While God does forgive sins through Christ's mercy, one must accept the gift of salvation. Emo Philips here doesn't indicate that he has any concept of salvation, nor does he state whether or not he has accepted the gift.

Had he accepted it, he wouldn't be espousing errant Christian theology like the above.

Answer 6

You can continue praying and keep the faith. You stole and did not get caught to go to jail but yet confessed your sins before God and he forgave you. Now forgive yourself and have the faith not to do it again.If you would have got caught then you would have had to pay back 7 times what you stole.

Answer 7

I agitated my parents for months until finally they bought me a bicycle. The next day, riding it for the first time, I got flattened by an eighteen-wheeler. Now I'm in hell, and the Devil keeps taunting me--"You should've taken no for an answer, you little punk. Pester ME for a Schwinn, and see what happens. " I would, but I think I learned my lesson.

Answer 8

No. First of all you can't pray to God like he's a genie waiting to grant your every wish. Secondly stealing is wrong (see Exodus 20) third you can't plan to sin thinking that it will be ok because you will ask for forgiveness right afterwards.

Answer 9

It sounds like a theological stance to me.

Answer 10

Sounds about right.

Of course, if Christians were really Christians as Jesus commanded them to be, you should be able to get a Christian's bike simply by asking for it. Or his car, or his clothes, his house, anything at all.

"Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away." ~Jesus