What do you think of this bible passage?

Question

1 Peter 4:3-5

3For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 4They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you. 5But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

Answer 1

Excellent Scrip. and very true; very appropriate for this forum; thanks God bless.

Answer 2

I have to say that, as a Pagan, I appear to be missing out. Apparently, I'm not getting the invitations to all the good parties. Is there someone I can talk to so I can make sure they've got my address right?

::sighs, rolls eyes:: The truth of the matter is that Peter is somewhat exaggerating, and is more referring to what the upper-class Romans were doing more than anything else. Most ordinary Pagans, both then and now, are exactly that - ordinary. Folks you wouldn't bat an eyelash at on the street, everyday Joes that most Christians would probably mistake for other Christians. Stereotypes like what's in that passage are like an old, overused joke - perhaps funny the first time you heard it, but rather tired by now.

Answer 3

I'm glad I never did debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.

Wait. I went to college. Perhaps I did.

Answer 4

I think that guy didn't know what a pagan was. Detestable idolatry? He would have a field with the Catholic institution. Pray to Mary and the Saints? Bad monkeys.

Answer 5

Still true today.
People who turn from their sins to God are often made fun of by those they hung out with in the past. These people do not understand that this Christian has found something better.!

Answer 6

The bad rap given Paganism is unfortunate. It is the most ancient of all mystery disciplines, and forms the very foundation of almost every religion on earth. Paganism per se is not a religion, it is simply the search for, and the utilization of, the laws of the supreme God which is contained in every atom of every person or thing in creation. It never stoops to mans ideas of "morality", it cannot, it is the way of God, it cannot be seperated from him for it is the very essense of him, nor can God be separated from his creation, only the darkest of ignorance would assume or teach such an obvious falsehood. It is of course impossible for "churchians" to accept, but anyone who studies genuine Paganism will be thunderstruck to realize that it's real tenets are precisely that which Jesus taught during his enlightenment. You must not take my word for that, you must not take anyones word for that, and you must not take the churches word against it, you must search the teachings of all the best minds man has ever produced. Do not be decieved by the church's teaching that all that Jesus was is to be found only in the english bible. That is a terrible falsehood that serves only to limit ones search for the truth. And the most difficult of all truths to accept is that the church is made up of nothing more than men possessed of the same weaknesses that we and all unenlightened men (and women) must deal with. If you would know the church then search within the church, but if you would know God then you must search within his creation, for there is NOTHING outside that creation. It is around and through you (and all things) and cannot be corrupted by the weak and incomplete teachings of any "church" on earth. The Rosicrucian adept, Francis Bacon, who was chosen by James 1st of England to arrange the "bible" into the form we are now most familiar with was one of the most enlightened men of his (or any) age, and did not live his life in secrecy, which of course implies that much more can be known about him. His (and king James) labors in that effort was one of the most noble endeavors in the recorded history of mankinds search for the ways of God. However, be advised that it is a universal manual of the most advanced wisdom teachings so far compiled by man, and it then follows naturally that it cannot be easily interpreted or understood by casual readers. It contains deeply concealed information and powerful esoteric mysteries. Those who study it with that in mind will be handsomly rewarded. Perhaps the most difficult thing about it to accept is that it is not the exclusive property of Christianity. The vast bulk of it was not written by Christians, nor for Christians, but for the seekers of all mankind. Another difficult fact for the church to accept is that it is NOT the only book ever written on the subject, and without the help of other sources it's deeper meanings can not be understood. It is a crime against Gods nature to take any of the holy writings and attempt to bend them to anyones notions of morality or "religion". There is only one religion, it belongs to all mankind, and regardless what it is called, it is simply the search for Gods ways. Never denigrate any discipline until you've studied it. It is written you are admonished to "search the scriptures", but keep this in mind, scriptures only means writings, it does not refer to the bible only but ALL holy writings, and since that admonishment was written long before there was any such thing as a bible what do you suppose it referred to??? . Do not be fooled by the blind attempting to lead the blind. Search.....search......search, and you WILL find, as the elect of all ages have found, and you will first be troubled, because you will required to rise above that which you thought you knew, but if you continue, your search will become the path of the Christ, and from that point you will be shown the way to proceed ever higher. No more than that may be said, for even that is beyond the frail faith of most who claim an interest in seeking God but are afraid of the forces that will be encountered. The all pervading vastness of God is not to be taken lightly, because only the dimmest of glimmer from the greatest of distance is terrifying. Doubt it not. And never under any circumstance belitle ANY religion, for all mankind knows instinctively that God is a reality, and the seekers of all cultures search in their own ways.

Answer 7

They must have conveniently left that verse out as gentile xtianity was being formed.

Answer 8

Those that resist peer pressure...next question.

Answer 9

I think it is wisdom and relevant for today.

Answer 10

60's 70's time (not my time)

Answer 11

Pathetic. Have a nice day. :)