I was just wondering how charam (חרם) might be translated and enacted by American Christians? Are you happy with retracting all religious freedoms or do you prefer the usage of most modern translators and actually plan on extermination of all those of other religions?
2006-12-21 06:31:31 · 12 answers · asked by ScottD_Arch 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Okay, furthermore; Why do Christians who keep on telling the world they "believe in the Bible" and who swear on one in court or in congress, etc; why oh why do they still keep that big, heavy, and apparently superfluous prefix that is the old testament if they are not "bound by law." Futhermore, why is exodus 22:20 not applicable but the creation store in Genesis is?
2006-12-21 06:42:30 · update #1
It is generally accepted by most scholars of the New Testament that the only part of the Laws of Moses that apply to Christians are the ones which deal with personal morality only, and not those which served to set Israel apart as a nation (see Acts 15:1-31; Romans 13:8-10; and, Galatians 3:15-25 & 5:16-26, for examples).
In short, the criminal & civil laws of Israel as set down by Moses were never assumed to apply to gentile Christians under the New Testament anyway.
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Why keep the Old Testament arround, if it no longer applies (directly) to Christians? Jesus and the apostle Paul seem to give an answer; basically, the OT serves as historical context. Without the OT as history, it is difficult to understand the New Testament at all (Like, how do you explain why did Jesus have to die for the sins of mankind if you do not have the story of the original sin back in Genesis? And so on.).
2006-12-21 06:41:53 · answer #1 · answered by Randy G 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Scott...
For any Christian (American or not) learns and applies principles of the Old Testament (including Exodus). We are not under the law of the OT, we live under grace from Jesus and His teaching, found in the New Testament.
You can take just about any verse from the Holy Bible and take it out of context, which you have done. It only shows you do not study nor understand the Biblical text. Therefore, your post is moot.
I know you were only trying to stir up trouble, however...you will not find it here.
May you find the truth, peace, joy and love of our Lord this Christmas Season.
Merry Christmas!!!
BTW...almost 1/3 of the New Testament (32%) is from the Old Testament (Scriptures and quotes). The Old Testament has lessons to be learned, we as Christians are not under the Law. There's a difference.
2006-12-21 14:43:43 · answer #2 · answered by Salvation is a gift, Eph 2:8-9 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I am happy that through the blood of Christ I am not punished for not obeying the whole Law. I have yet to kill anyone for blasphemy or for the worship of strange gods. I don't have to kill my disobedient children nor keep the required feats. All these things and more are required by the Law. If I ignore the Law or disobey by design it is sin. It's a good thing for me when that all sin will be forgiven except that od blasphemy against the Holy Spirit... Jim
2006-12-21 14:41:06 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
There is nothing to obey there, because Christians are under the New Testaemnt, instituted by Jesus. Buththe word you question about contains much valuable spiritual direction. It speaks to us of the disaster that awaits those who deny the truth of the Divine Creator and follow a path away from God and truth. If you do not obey Gods direction you are cut off already, like it says in the Gospels, the wayward are condemned already in terms of the future judgement. Therefore God warns us in advance on how to avoid disaster and please Him and how to do the will of God.
But we are not here to anwer to you and all the questions you can possibly invent and throw at us, as though we are under some suspicion and you are an authority.
In answer to your second part, I wlil indeed be very happy when the truth is revealed, when all judgement begins and we are exonerated and all mockers and arrogant unbelievers are arraigned and rebuked. Yes I look forward to our day in court when all the words of liars, and deceivers and seducers and sexually immoral and perverted politicians will have to expalin themsleves, their actions and their words to God.
But as for now we are called not to take judgement into our own hands but to offer mercy and compassion according to Gods will. Not just any kind of mercy but mercy as it pertains to godly imperatives.
But after you ask you question, you reveal yourself and expose your hatred, by proceeding to supply suggestions and answers of your own making. Evil thoughts you have. Why do you suggest and choose to believe the evil ideas rather than good ones about us? Why instead of putting a positve spin , do you choose to try to insinuate an evil one? Is it not because your heart resonates and feeds off this kind of malicious evil thingking?
I would suggest you beware of this, for this results in blindness.
Additional response to your additiional question
Please stop wasting time, if you want answers to these they are all clearly laid out in the bible. Within every question you have an insinuation, like you already have an answer and a plan in mind. You are not willing to accept any kind answer, but want and lust to think evil of us and so supply your own wayward ideas and notions based on misinformation.
The scriptures clearly lay out both within the Old and New testasments that we are under law to Christ, we have been transferred legally from the custody of the Law of Moses unto Jesus the Lord for our forgivenss and salvation. If you are truly desirous of knowing more about this ancient prophecy and divinely inspired wisdom, then please read the bible.
Some Christians do not know everything there si to know and how to answer every question, but we are all on the journety and grow everyday through hardship and supplying answeres for our good hope. Thank God it is not a knowledge test but an love and fidelity test, towards God first and then our neighbors. The pure, holy , love of God direct sour love, it is not the pervertted promiscuous kind that the world substitutes for it. It is a real demanding love. Amen.
2006-12-21 14:48:05 · answer #4 · answered by Socinian F 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
we are today under grace, not under the law.
But a bible principal is Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Hebrews 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
I would fear the one that has to answer to God - for serving gods.
You know what that verse is saying truely, God is VERY serious about people who don't serve Him, LOOK- Deuteronomy 5:9 Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me,
you can't serve two gods: Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
2006-12-21 14:38:17 · answer #5 · answered by readthekjv1611@sbcglobal.net 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Wow, what a question!
First, I don't believe it is the church's place to restrain evil. It is the government's. So as a Christian alone it is not my place. This command was given to the Israelites, it was part of setting up a government that would be conducive to a good relationship with God. If they had stuck with the rules from the beginning without turning away, they would have lived a long and happy life in the land. But, their sins brought consequences and made themselves more and more disgusting to God. Finally, He removed His hedge of protection and let the consequences of their sin and their neighbor's sin to take its course.
America was started on the foundation of the Word. The founding fathers (in general) sought to please Him, acknowledged His position as Creator and Lord over all, and live in relationship with Him (most, at the least, acknowledged Him as Creator and Lord). They wanted each to be able to seek that relationship within their own denominations. They had not intended to condone or encourage evil, just to avoid a Government by one church, that outlawed all other means to worship God (Hence, the first amendment). This was not to stop states and communities from doing so, only congress. The fathers did not wish to have such a powerful government. They knew that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. The power of making religious laws and actions was left with the states and local government. When the states and communities stopped banning the moral outrages of sinful people, we condoned sin. That led to the consequences of sin, and much more sin. As responsible persons within our communities we should allow no one who would lead the next generation astray to be in positions of authority in our communities. Those that do something to harm others should pay enough of a price to discourage them or others from doing it again. We have allowed sin in our own lives and left our children to be diligently taught the lies of this world. It needs to be dealt with on a personal, community, and state level. I have a feeling we are too far gone for this to work without some sort of major crisis first. We are too far fallen into the muck of our sin to bother to try to get out now, unless we are challenged to our core and realize just how far we have fallen, and turn to God and call on Him begging forgiveness and asking for His deliverance.
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The Bible is His story of Love and justice to us. It is a manual on how (and how NOT) to live. The government of Israel is important because it shows how much God hates sin. We are not the country of Israel, and though the principles (of the government passages) should apply in government and should be reflected in our lives (hate the sin that would ensnare our people), those passages are not directed at individuals.
2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
2006-12-21 15:41:51 · answer #6 · answered by Bre 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Be not afraid of God with a slavish fear; be not afraid of the thunders and lightnings, as if they were like one of the plagues of Egypt, which terrified Pharaoh and his people; be not afraid of being consumed by them, they will do you no hurt; be not afraid of dying by the hand of God, at his presence, and through the voice of his words spoken to you; be of good courage, for the design of God is not to destroy you, but to instruct you, and do you good.
Haran of Babylon or Assyria
2006-12-21 14:36:07 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it says that the Christians will be doing any of that. That is pretty much God's territory.
2006-12-21 14:34:51 · answer #8 · answered by Steve H 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
20 He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed.
It doesn't say by who. It could also be a metaphor.
2006-12-21 14:35:05 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
This was discussed earlier today. I'd rather convert someone. God will judge.
2006-12-21 14:34:17 · answer #10 · answered by RB 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋