Comments on: Truth and Discernment http://blog.evergreench.org/2008/09/01/truth-and-discernment/ Worship God, Love People, Restore Creation Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:32:29 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: Todd Baughman http://blog.evergreench.org/2008/09/01/truth-and-discernment/#comment-430 Todd Baughman Fri, 05 Sep 2008 19:11:31 +0000 http://blog.evergreench.org/?p=63#comment-430 First of all the quote is using too many big words that I do not understand it. So I will just comment on what I do understand. I think casteration for a sex offender is dispicable. I think when Jesus said that those people mentioned above will burn in the fiery lake, I think it refers to continuously acting in those ways, not having a heart that is ever going to repent. Unfortunately these people are usually marginalized in our society and never get the help they need or friends they need or the love and grace they need. Let's strive to visit the margin more and more. About reading the Bible, I think it is a process. As a young follower of Christ I had no clue what it said nor meant and I needed help. As I grow more and more I find it easier to read on my own but still need study notes, commentaries, etc. However, I still like to bounce what I read in scripture off friends. No matter where I am in my spiritual journey, I will always need people around to talk to about what I have read and to listen to them tell me about what they have read. First of all the quote is using too many big words that I do not understand it. So I will just comment on what I do understand.
I think casteration for a sex offender is dispicable.

I think when Jesus said that those people mentioned above will burn in the fiery lake, I think it refers to continuously acting in those ways, not having a heart that is ever going to repent. Unfortunately these people are usually marginalized in our society and never get the help they need or friends they need or the love and grace they need. Let’s strive to visit the margin more and more.

About reading the Bible, I think it is a process. As a young follower of Christ I had no clue what it said nor meant and I needed help. As I grow more and more I find it easier to read on my own but still need study notes, commentaries, etc. However, I still like to bounce what I read in scripture off friends. No matter where I am in my spiritual journey, I will always need people around to talk to about what I have read and to listen to them tell me about what they have read.

]]> By: Elaine http://blog.evergreench.org/2008/09/01/truth-and-discernment/#comment-427 Elaine Thu, 04 Sep 2008 02:20:58 +0000 http://blog.evergreench.org/?p=63#comment-427 Yes, good clarification. I think I was thinking about how there is a community of faith within the Bible, and we need to consider that as a whole. We need to be thinking about the heroes of the faith, for example, and learning about the women role models, and all that good stuff. But definitely, we need input from living people! Yes, good clarification. I think I was thinking about how there is a community of faith within the Bible, and we need to consider that as a whole. We need to be thinking about the heroes of the faith, for example, and learning about the women role models, and all that good stuff. But definitely, we need input from living people!

]]> By: Alicia http://blog.evergreench.org/2008/09/01/truth-and-discernment/#comment-425 Alicia Wed, 03 Sep 2008 11:20:39 +0000 http://blog.evergreench.org/?p=63#comment-425 I agree that the Bible provides perspective, but I'm not so sure about community. When we read Scripture, the best we can do is to try to be aware of our own prejudices and to try to see beyond them. Certainly, the Holy Spirit can and does aid us in this. So, there is community with God when we approach the Bible with a teachable heart. But, I think reading/studying/thinking/struggling with the Bible should not be primarily a solo sport. I think we can gain a better understanding of how our "box" limits our view of God when we engage with other truth seekers. I agree that the Bible provides perspective, but I’m not so sure about community. When we read Scripture, the best we can do is to try to be aware of our own prejudices and to try to see beyond them. Certainly, the Holy Spirit can and does aid us in this. So, there is community with God when we approach the Bible with a teachable heart. But, I think reading/studying/thinking/struggling with the Bible should not be primarily a solo sport. I think we can gain a better understanding of how our “box” limits our view of God when we engage with other truth seekers.

]]> By: elaineb http://blog.evergreench.org/2008/09/01/truth-and-discernment/#comment-424 elaineb Tue, 02 Sep 2008 20:24:02 +0000 http://blog.evergreench.org/?p=63#comment-424 Not to do my own PR, but this is why Dale and I are offering the boot camp. It's not that we're so super qualified to challenge people: it's that we want to. We want to create an environment of challenge for people who are looking for that. To help people start to see the sides of their boxes and maybe look for ways to expand or explode those boxes! One other point: the Bible itself is a good way to get that community and perspective. You have to interpret the verse about the lack of fire in the context of Jesus' actions and the words of the Old Testament prophets. The Bible's differences and inconsistencies shouldn't be harmonized away in embarrassment: they should be examined and studied so we can understand the message and be comfortable with the tension and paradoxes. Not to do my own PR, but this is why Dale and I are offering the boot camp. It’s not that we’re so super qualified to challenge people: it’s that we want to. We want to create an environment of challenge for people who are looking for that. To help people start to see the sides of their boxes and maybe look for ways to expand or explode those boxes!
One other point: the Bible itself is a good way to get that community and perspective. You have to interpret the verse about the lack of fire in the context of Jesus’ actions and the words of the Old Testament prophets. The Bible’s differences and inconsistencies shouldn’t be harmonized away in embarrassment: they should be examined and studied so we can understand the message and be comfortable with the tension and paradoxes.

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