Tuesday, June 03, 2008

 

On Christian inconsistencies and liberty, gay-friendly Bible verses, and Jesus throwing up

Uno. I just stumbled across this nice little piece on Christian inconsistencies. Can I get an Amen? (I'm sure of it).

Two-o. The same blogger suggests that 1 Timothy 4: 1-5 can be seen as gay-friendly. I agree. If not gay-friendly, then it at least is a warning and trememinder that "everything created by God is good, and nothning is to be rejected, provided it is received with thanksgiving." Can I get an Amen? (I doubt it.)

Three-o. I stumbled across the above two posts while searching for this quote, from Frederick in "Hannah and Her Sisters," which I've never seen: "You see the whole culture. Nazis, deodorant salesmen, wrestlers, beauty contests, a talk show. Can you imagine the level of a mind that watches wrestling? But the worst are the fundamentalist preachers. Third grade con men telling the poor suckers that watch them that they speak with Jesus, and to please send in money. Money, money, money! If Jesus came back and saw what's going on in his name, he'd never stop throwing up." Can I get an Amen? (We'll see.)

--ER

Comments:
1. I'm reminded of a quote from Whitman: "Do I contradict myself? Well then I contradict myself. I am large, I contain multitudes."

2. This seems like the same sort of proof-texting people use when they try to argue against gay marriage using Jesus's words about heterosexual divorce.

3. Fundie preachers are still better than fundie preacher/politician hucksters like Dobson and his ilk. Though I suppose once you've gotten to the dregs, it's hard to distinguish between slightly better dregs.
 
Glad someone else remembered Fredricks' words of wisdom! I quote that all the time! Thanks!!!
 
Re: preachers and huscksters: Never trust a man whose only job is to talk about charity while wearing a $3,000 suit... 'nuff said.

Re: the Bible and inconsistancies and gay-friendly Bible verses. Ive long since given up the game of trying to make the Bible make sense.

Re: Fundie preachers: Ive met a few who manage to stick to the fundamentals without abandoning charity, humility, and compassion, and without resorting to judgement. They are rare and lovely people, and usually have NO IDEA what the rest of their ilk are up to...
 
On proof-texting: Yer right. Which is why I rarely quote a verse in support of .. anything.

But if all proof-texting is bad, what use is there for Scripture in preaching or teaching? Here, I need a seminarian to talk about hermeneutics, I guess.
 
Howdy, Bryan!
 
Re, "I've long since given up the game of trying to make the Bible make sense."

Well, if you try to "get" anything but the gist of it, I'd agree. Beyond that, there is sense *in* the Bible. But boy, you got to sift through lots of clods to get to the taters.
 
Re quote: "If Jesus came back and saw what's going on in his name, he'd never stop throwing up."

Inconsistencies indeed, when did Jesus leave?

Re quote: " "Do I contradict myself? Well then I contradict myself. I am large, I contain multitudes."

Diagnosis: split, possibly multiple personalities, touch f megalomania, not well integrated psyche.

Prescription: Anatriptoline 100 mg twice daily, timed release Zoloft once in the morning, start with minor lithium infusions, and sessions with psychologist every other day for six weeks and then evaluate progress, and oh yes,complete refrain from blogging or readin blogs for 21 days.
 
heh. Exchange one sort of crazy for another? Seems sorta pointless. ;)
 
Re, "Inconsistencies indeed, when did Jesus leave?"

There *are* those amongst us who think he mighta done come back at Pentecost. ...

Oh, hey: Pastorman wore that great T-shirt Sunday for his annual "joke sermon" on carnival day to raise money for Sunday school and adult education stuff:

"Jesus is coming," in big letters. "Look busy" in small print.

I have GOT to have me one of those!
 
Well, I like the sentiment ER, but I’m not sure you’d earn much from it at the carnival.

The first thing your average Fundamentalist is going to say is that homosexuality isn’t made of God (It’s the Devil’s work, don’t you know!) and that consequently you are going to Hell for even having such blasphemous thoughts.

If you get an above average Fundamentalist at your stall, you might be asked where you draw the line between what God made and what he didn’t and perhaps we should also be receiving Nazis, deodorant salesman and wrestlers with thanksgiving.

He probably won’t recite the list all the way through though, as he already knows what Fundamentalist Preachers are made of.
 
Liam I wish you could the church I attend. Not all Christians are hateful loons.
 
Don’t worry, ER, I recognise that – but you must admit that there are an increasing number of them; the downsides of free speech and mass communication media, I think, and probably aided and abetted by an audience with ever decreasing experience of critical thought.

Actually, despite our different philosophical angles, I suspect we are not so far apart in our approaches to life. I expect I would be quite comfortable visiting your church.
 
I agree on all accounts. One reason this place is a refuge, of sorts, for all seekers and some finders. Places in the RW where the Gospel is actually practiced are few and far between. And, to me, the Gospel is mainly this: Jesus loved us until it killed him. And we'll try.
 
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