i heart the internet
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I read today that runners in the United States have a median income of US$113,000.
I thought about this for a second and reached an instant conclusion:
The people who have the discipline to exercise and keep healthy have used that same discipline to get to the top.
Enjoy your day.
As it currently stands, I haven’t given much opportunity for people to comment on my previous post. Both big replies so far have revolved around two broad themes.
Sorry to those who don’t care about this topic. Just click to the next blog on your Reader, the next post will be more interesting. 
“Context is my friend.”
This is a curious one. Because for mine, even context can not justify some things. I think some of the commands God gives in the Old Testament are absolutely abominable… and just have so much trouble believing that a God that is supposedly of love could just be so flippant about the wanton destruction of human lives.
The verse that started it all.. when I was about 14 or so. I have never since managed to reconcile myself to the OT.
Joshua 8:24-25
When it was all over, Israel had killed everyone in Ai, whether in the fields or in the wilderness where they had chased them. When the killing was complete, the Israelites returned to Ai and completed the devastation. The death toll that day came to twelve thousand men and women—everyone in Ai.
Or when Achan buried the loot from Jericho under his tent and they destroyed his entire family. I mean, can you imagine the children being dragged uncomprehending into the bottom of that pit as hard eyes watched them, ready with their stones to do the unthinkable….? The women pleading for their lives as their bodies slowly became unrecognisable, shapeless forms…? How would YOU feel if God asked you to do this kind of thing?
A typical answer to this would involve something about sin being generational or God’s need for holiness. But have I read and been told about a God of justice and punishing one person for anothers mistake isn’t just. If anyone can truly justify this decision by God I will give you a medal. (Seriously, I’ll mail it to you.)
This and so many other verses and decisions are something that Christians would never abide in today’s world. Yet we abide it in the pre-Christian world! Jesus didn’t invent morality.
The fact that Brett in his comment turned towards NT to justify the opposition to homosexuality shows what I mean - that without NT backup, an OT command is worthless.
I agree that the OT gives us a broader appreciation of the significance of the NT. This is a given. But a broader appreciation of God…. ? Depends on how you define the word appreciation.
“You need the Old Testament to understand the New Testament.”
Yes that is true. But as I said in my example yesterday, the Muslims need the Haditha to understand the Koran yet do not ascribe it the same level of holiness.
We can venerate it in some parts. Even just re-name it back to its Jewish name. And we can have a naming competition for the New Testament a la McDonalds (which has called its new burger the Backyard Burger. And it is very tasty, I’m a fan.)
Found this on the net. This example highlights many of my own frustrations with the church and the Bible.
Why Can’t I Own a Canadian?October 2002Dear Dr. Laura: Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God’s Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate. I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the other specific laws and how to follow them: When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them? I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her? I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness - Lev.15:19- 24. The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense. Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can’t I own Canadians? I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself? A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination - Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don’t agree. Can you settle this? Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here? Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die? I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves? My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev. 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? - Lev.24:10-16. Couldn’t we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14) I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God’s word is eternal and unchanging. Your devoted fan, |
From humanists of utah.
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Jim of Utah has a good point. Why do use any Biblical argument based out of the Old Testament when there are verses we could never even consider accepting right next to it.
Either every verse can be used as an argument or not.
So as I have been saying to a couple of my friends; should the Old Testament even BE in the Bible??
“OH yes but it has some great stuff from God, great insights into His nature blah blah blah”
Well the Muslims believe the Haditha is the word of Muhammed himself but they don’t include it in the Koran. They recognise it as a secondary text. Maybe the time has come to consign the Old Testament to that status as well.
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