Cyndi: Communion has been a baffling concept for me for about two years now. I try so hard to look at it from every possible light. I try to think of it as a shower, the act of refocusing diffused light, and many other analogies. Unfortunately, I typically arrive at the same conclusion no matter how many different analogies pop into my head: it is a ritual.
This isn't necessarilly bad, I suppose. It's an act of obedience, and it somewhat reminds of baptism. But baptism seems more practical to me. Communion is supposed to be very personal, and very meaningful. I don't disagree with the fact that periodically, we all need a reminder. We all need that point that gets us back on track, right where we belong. However, my problem is this: communion is often associated with a return to a right life, and right living. If a person is headed astray, then communion may perhaps remind him of where he belongs, but if he is not ready to return, but communion arises, he may partake and feign a return, but it won't be lasting. This seems pointless to me. A person will return when they are ready. I realize it is a point of self-examination, and I think this is good, and that everyone should examine their lives regularly. I just feel that the "body and blood" idea is very much a ritual. Don't many come to Christianity from other faiths to escape such ritualism?
Any thoughts? This has been bothering me for a long time now.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Death Penalty & War
The other day I decided to make a recording on my drive home. It deals with our Biblical standing on the death penalty and war. I hope you enjoy it.
Listen to the broadcast
Make sure you read the written conclusion at the bottom of this post!
Reference scriptures:
Matthew 5:38-42
You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Matthew 5:17
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
These are the scriptures that kicked off my thought process. Read and tell me what you think.
Fox's Book of Martyrs
This book details the manner in which the disciples met their deaths. Read it if you haven't. It will give you tremendous perspective.
Genesis 9:6
And for your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting. I will demand an accounting from every animal. And from each man, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of his fellow man. "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man.
This is the scripture that sets forth the death penalty. Many would separate it from the Mosaic Law (Law given to Moses) and say that it is exempt from the work of Jesus and therefore remains in effect today.
Genesis 4:3-4a
In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD. 4 But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock.
This scripture demonstrates the precedent of giving the Lord an offering or sacrifice that was in practice even before the Flood.
Genesis 7:1-2
The LORD then said to Noah, "Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation. Take with you seven of every kind of clean animal, a male and its mate, and two of every kind of unclean animal, a male and its mate,
This portion of scripture clearly shows that there was already an established distinction between clean and unclean animals. Noah knew exactly what God was asking him to do, no doubt, because the law had been given to these antediluvian (pre-flood) people.
Genesis 8:20
Then Noah built an altar to the LORD and, taking some of all the clean animals and clean birds, he sacrificed burnt offerings on it.
Noah already knew to sacrifice to the Lord and did it right after the flood. Not only did he just sacrifice, but he sacrificed "clean" animals and birds. In the audio I say he sacrificed a lamb, but I was mistaken.
Romans 13:1-4
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.
This is the Biblical order that the government has the authority to carry out capital punishment (the sword).
Conclusion
The laws we institute in our government become like the laws of gravity. If you leap from a cliff, it is nobody's fault that you fall to your death. In the same way, the laws of this country simply take effect when you commit a crime. You live under these rules by choice (more choice than you have over escaping gravity). Therefore, the only one to be blamed when a murderer is executed is the murderer.
War is simply an extension of our "gravity" in that if another nation or people attacks us they have subjected themselves to our laws. If they do not attack us then they are not under our laws. In the same way, if they make an agreement with us to abide by our laws, then they are subject to war if the agreement specifies such upon violation.
If you argue that the death penalty should be done away with because of a seriously flawed system then we have departed from the Biblical argument and I can level with you. When does a flawed human justice system become too flawed? That I can see.
Let me know what you thought. Thanks!
Listen to the broadcast
Make sure you read the written conclusion at the bottom of this post!
Reference scriptures:
Matthew 5:38-42
You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Matthew 5:17
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
These are the scriptures that kicked off my thought process. Read and tell me what you think.
Fox's Book of Martyrs
This book details the manner in which the disciples met their deaths. Read it if you haven't. It will give you tremendous perspective.
Genesis 9:6
And for your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting. I will demand an accounting from every animal. And from each man, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of his fellow man. "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man.
This is the scripture that sets forth the death penalty. Many would separate it from the Mosaic Law (Law given to Moses) and say that it is exempt from the work of Jesus and therefore remains in effect today.
Genesis 4:3-4a
In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD. 4 But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock.
This scripture demonstrates the precedent of giving the Lord an offering or sacrifice that was in practice even before the Flood.
Genesis 7:1-2
The LORD then said to Noah, "Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation. Take with you seven of every kind of clean animal, a male and its mate, and two of every kind of unclean animal, a male and its mate,
This portion of scripture clearly shows that there was already an established distinction between clean and unclean animals. Noah knew exactly what God was asking him to do, no doubt, because the law had been given to these antediluvian (pre-flood) people.
Genesis 8:20
Then Noah built an altar to the LORD and, taking some of all the clean animals and clean birds, he sacrificed burnt offerings on it.
Noah already knew to sacrifice to the Lord and did it right after the flood. Not only did he just sacrifice, but he sacrificed "clean" animals and birds. In the audio I say he sacrificed a lamb, but I was mistaken.
Romans 13:1-4
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.
This is the Biblical order that the government has the authority to carry out capital punishment (the sword).
Conclusion
The laws we institute in our government become like the laws of gravity. If you leap from a cliff, it is nobody's fault that you fall to your death. In the same way, the laws of this country simply take effect when you commit a crime. You live under these rules by choice (more choice than you have over escaping gravity). Therefore, the only one to be blamed when a murderer is executed is the murderer.
War is simply an extension of our "gravity" in that if another nation or people attacks us they have subjected themselves to our laws. If they do not attack us then they are not under our laws. In the same way, if they make an agreement with us to abide by our laws, then they are subject to war if the agreement specifies such upon violation.
If you argue that the death penalty should be done away with because of a seriously flawed system then we have departed from the Biblical argument and I can level with you. When does a flawed human justice system become too flawed? That I can see.
Let me know what you thought. Thanks!
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