Rescuing the Bible

[KnightoftheRose]

In Response to Star's Original Post:

First of all, I wholeheartedly agree with Spong that Christianity is about the experience of Christ, and the love of God. Slavish adherence to the Bible can lead to a love of the law rather than the love of God, and so, as Christians, we should really be wary of that.

However, I disagree with Spong on two accounts: first, I feel that believing in the Bible as literal truth does not detract from the experience of Christ, but rather enhances it (so long as we don't love the Bible more than we love the Lord). Second, I don't like his "different cultures" argument. Basically, he claims we should take the Bible with a grain of salt because it was written by a different culture. Wow.

Anyways, isn't Spong that homosexual Bishop? If so, then it is pretty clear why he is so vicious in his attacks on Fundamentalists, and why he is so desperate to throw the Bible in the garbage can. Also explains his relativist viewpoint...

[Dor]

Just for peoples futher understanding and to just see where this came from Im including a link for people to check out the man himself.


Rescuing the Gospels from Bishop Spong

http://www.probe.org/docs/spong.html

thought it was pretty relevant for everyone to see what this man is all about.

[Basstian]

WOW thanks Dor

I think that is the review needed for this book.
*Hugs Bible*

[KnightoftheRose]

This speculation has gotten the Bishop into trouble with his own church. Recently, Episcopalian bishops from Africa and Asia rejected Spong's liberal views on human sexuality at a conference in England. His response was to charge that "They've moved out of animism into a very superstitious kind of Christianity. They've yet to face the intellectual revolution of Copernicus and Einstein that we've had to face in the developing world."{9} When the bishops voiced their objections, Spong responded by declaring "I'm not going to cease being a twentieth-century person for fear of offending somebody in the Third World. . . ."

OMG!!!

[Sacredstar]

Dear Didymus

Yes you are correct in your understanding.

I was actually looking at Plato and was led to the above site and there saw the wonderful article by a Christian Bishop about his book and it was a serious enquiry requesting an in-depth view of the book by someone who had read it.

The pure intent was and is not to destroy anyone's faith, belief or attack the bible that is in the eyes of the beholder, i.e. that feel persecuted which usually as a root cause in past lives. Many of us have suffered persecution down the ages due to our spiritual beliefs.

As I understand the Christian forum is for ALL Christians to discuss Christianity and that which effects aspects of it and of course to do this with due respect for others, beliefs and sensitivities.

But perhaps Brian could enlighten us further.

And I feel the majority of us have indeed done that.

The pure of heart see purity not diversity.

Let us work together we are all on the same side.

being love

Kimxxx

[Sacredstar]

Dear Knight of the Rose

Thank you for your review I agree with a majority of what you have said.

I think I do agree with him on different cultures which is why GOD as delivered different teachings down the ages to different cultures, maybe we can discuss this more in comparative religion forum as I found some insights from Muslims on their religion enlightening in this respect.

I also feel when Jesus returns he will have many new things to share but will Christians except it when he comes or will they like the Jews did before and call him a false prophet? I sincerely hope not.

being love

Kim xxx

[Faithfulservant]

Originally Posted by Dor

Just for peoples futher understanding and to just see where this came from Im including a link for people to check out the man himself.


Rescuing the Gospels from Bishop Spong

http://www.probe.org/docs/spong.html

thought it was pretty relevant for everyone to see what this man is all about.

Wow this guy is a piece of work. Thanks for the the link

[KnightoftheRose]

I think I do agree with him on different cultures which is why GOD as delivered different teachings down the ages to different cultures

Well, maybe God went to different cultures in different forms before to give them a slice of the pie, but my view is that Christianity contains the whole truth - and that culture only affected the imagery and poetry of the Bible, not the fundamental theological truths.

Just my two cents, anyways.

[Faithfulservant]

I think we all agree that there are many who claim Christianity but directly oppose it. Charles Manson..David Koresh...Jim Jones...televangelists comes to mind.

Ephesians 4:3-7 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift.

Titus 3:10-11 Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.

Romans 16:17-18 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple

1 Cor 1:10 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment

Jude 1:3-25 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ. But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day; as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.


Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries. Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!" But these speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves. Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah. These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots; raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, "Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him." These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh. Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen.

ANYONE who teaches contrary to the bible, to Christs teachings.. to his Apostles who He charged with delivering the message is DIVISIVE and to be rejected. According to these scriptures. Christianity doesnt change when some "enlightened being" comes up with some heresy.. Anyone can claim to be a Christian.. But if you cannot see the truth you cannot see it because its not in you.. darkness cannot comprehend the light. Christianity after all is a title.. but the Book of Life and the Seal of God will reveal all.

[KnightoftheRose]

You don't think very highly of Bishop Spong, do you Faithful?

[Dor]

Originally Posted by KnightoftheRose

You don't think very highly of Bishop Spong, do you Faithful?

Not sure about her but I know where he is on my list of people to look to for spiritual guidance and it is definately at the bottom of the list.

[Faithfulservant]

Originally Posted by KnightoftheRose

You don't think very highly of Bishop Spong, do you Faithful?

hehe I reject his teaching..the man however needs to be lifted up in prayer. Father forgive him for he knows not what he does.

[KnightoftheRose]

Not sure about her but I know where he is on my list of people to look to for spiritual guidance and it is definately at the bottom of the list.

Yeah, well he's a twenty-first century person, and apparently you aren't, so he doesn't care what you have to say *snaps fingers*...

(In reference to the previous quote: )

This speculation has gotten the Bishop into trouble with his own church. Recently, Episcopalian bishops from Africa and Asia rejected Spong's liberal views on human sexuality at a conference in England. His response was to charge that "They've moved out of animism into a very superstitious kind of Christianity. They've yet to face the intellectual revolution of Copernicus and Einstein that we've had to face in the developing world."{9} When the bishops voiced their objections, Spong responded by declaring "I'm not going to cease being a twentieth-century person for fear of offending somebody in the Third World. . . ."

If you haven't noticed already, his comments toward his Episcopalian brothers in Africa really disturbed me...

[Bandit]

Romans 16:17-18 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple

Amen Faithful. this is why they want Paul out of the bible so they can feed us more candy bars and ice cream. Now I know why the preachers spent the past 40 years coming down on the new religions because they are false and they wanted us to have the bible for our day.


So Basstian, how de we rescue the bible. LOL
we go around picking up all the candy bar wrappers and melted candy AND POPSICLE sticks they litter the bible with. Was not Hansel and Gretel trapped by the witch with candy? and the witch got pushed into the stove because she wanted to eat the children.

How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! (Psalm 119:103)

1 Pet.2 2As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 3If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

[Sacredstar]

"this is why they want Paul out of the bible so they can feed us more candy bars and ice cream"

Well I think it is brilliant that Paul is in the bible because it proves without doubt the mystical experience with Christ. If Jesus can appear before a Roman he will indeed appear before anyone if he chooses.

So here celebrating that Paul is IN!

Love beyond measure

Kim xx