Comments on: An Unconscionable Addiction – Part 4

By: Adam_S

Adam_S — Fri, 22 May 2009 18:08:20 +0000

I think that Dewde is wrong in his contextual analysis. I believe that Joe was referring to Matt 25 and I do not believe that there is any assumption that those that are being helped are other Christians. In fact, I believe that the activities mentioned (feeding hungry, visiting sick and prisoners, clothing the naked) are to be done because the person is in need. And our reward is that we get to serve as if the person being served were Jesus Christ himself.

As to Chris F's comment, I agree we should be on topic and in context when to quote scripture. And I also agree that the authoritativeness of a text is only valid to the extent that you believe the text. So if we are talking to someone that doesn't view the scripture as authoritative, then reference to scripture should be limited. For instance, when I talk about the reasons that I believe that torture is inappropriate, with Christians I will talk about the concept of Imageo Dei (the fact that I believe that all people are created in the image of God and therefore deserve respect and proper treatment because of the image of God that is in them). But if I am talking to a secular group I will be much more pragmatic about the reasons that I believe torture is inappropriate (doesn't work, bad information, reciprocal treatment, etc.)

The problem comes when talking about ethical reasons for doing an activity where there are very few reasons that come outside of scripture or Christian belief. Then all I can really do is say why I believe that I should do or not do something and point to my own reasons, with the understanding that those reasons may not work for the person I am talking to.

I hope that isn't too far off topic.

By: Adam_S

Adam_S — Fri, 22 May 2009 17:57:45 +0000

I don't think we have any exemption when people are not repentant. Sure it is harder to love people that are unrepentant. But that is true of many similar things (it is easier to give to someone that has a good story and you think will use the money well, it is easier to spend time with a kid that has a good home life and is well behaved and obedient, etc.) Just because someone is un-repentant does not mean that we are any less bound to be compassionate to them. It is often long term compassion to people that are unrepentant that actually brings about repentance.

By: Chris F.

Chris F. — Fri, 22 May 2009 17:50:33 +0000

I'm definitely not trying to implicate Joe in any nefarious attempts to deceive anyone. It's just a pet peeve of mine when people quote their favorite scripture out of context, particularly when it doesn't really apply to a situation. You use the term "explicitly" in your reply to Dewde's post, which implies to me that you want to assert that the text is authoritative here. Dewde's response about context indicates that not only is the text not authoritative here, it's not even especially relevant in this situation. This overuse and misuse of biblical passages to justify points is common, unnecessary, and misguided, IMO. Despite the best intentions, this is really just spreading incorrect information.

By: joe

joe — Fri, 22 May 2009 13:25:41 +0000

I suppose if it was an attempt to mislead…However my mistake was not intentional. I stumble and fell on my face with that one. There is the letter of the law and the intent. Difficult to describe buy my intentions are honorable..

By: Glenn

Glenn — Fri, 22 May 2009 03:28:32 +0000

In response to Adam S or others – what does this "compassion" look like when it's directed at someone who doesn't and never will care about compassion nor has any remorse about their crimes. As someone whose father was in law enforcement for 20 years I can promise this is the case with many. There are plenty of pedophiles, rapists, etc. who would like to continue to keep on doing what they've done with no regard for the victims. Bernie Madoff is a recent case that comes to mind. How many concentration camp guards would have liked to have continued filling the ovens with Jews? I think too many are unwilling to face up to the reality of how ugly and widespread evil can be.

By: dewde

dewde — Fri, 22 May 2009 03:26:36 +0000

I can't argue with this. In fact, it just makes me lament your absence from our side all the more. We need thinkers like you!

By: Chris F.

Chris F. — Fri, 22 May 2009 02:22:16 +0000

Dewde… What the heck are you doing trying to interpret the bible *in context*? You're missing out on a lot of good quote mining when you actually consider the situation in which the quote was applied!

By: joey and Kim

joey and Kim — Fri, 22 May 2009 00:39:54 +0000

Yes…..i feel like the open door is that Bill contacted you first. His reaching out was a big effort on his part, and probabley not done easily.

By: dewde

dewde — Thu, 21 May 2009 23:30:26 +0000

I think in context, those scriptures were referring to members of the Christian faith who were in prison due to religious persecution, weren't they? I'm not saying we shouldn't visit those in prison. just asking the question.

By: joey

joey — Thu, 21 May 2009 21:08:28 +0000

The Bible explicitly says that believers should care about, remember, and visit those in prison. (Hebrews 13:3, Matthew 25:36, 2 Timothy 1:16-18

One conclusion with Bill, in spite of all your compassion is….Nothing.
The may have a lack of empathy and guilt for all his actions, but that does not mean you should stop trying.

1 Corinthians 2:12-15
We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.