Re: How the Most Misquoted Verse in the Bible Is Destroying America
| Posted On: 07/21/05 10:52:10 AM |
Age 53, VA |
When Americans cite Matt. 7:1 which seemingly condemns judging, they never consider its context, particularly with verse 2 and the previous chapter. Verse 2 says: "For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Matthew 6 is filled with filled with condemnation of hypocrisy (e.g., don't do good news for the acclaim of man, but rather do it privately for God).
Matthew 7:1 regarding judgment, therefore, when taken in context, simply means that the standard you set for others will be used to judge you. In other words, don't be hypocritical and condemn others when you are committing the same sin. As noted by this excellent article, Matthew 7:1 does not mean that we must have no standards. Thanks for this insight.
Jim Davids
Assistant Dean
Robertson School of Government
Regent University
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- Re: Re: How the Most Misquoted Verse in the Bible Is Destroying America
| Posted On: 07/21/05 12:21:16 PM | | Age 73, CA |
What you said is biblically "right on." One thing which you did not address is that Matthew 7:1 is not the only verse in the Bible that is taken out of context. As a co-pastor, and a follower of our Lord Jesus Christ for over 50 years, I have seen this on a daily basis. I'm sorry to say that most CHRISTians I talk with are so unknowledgeable concerning the Word of God that they could not hold their own in a converstation with another adult, using the Bible as their sole authority. I am seeking to make CHRISTians independent investigators of God's Word. The biblical task of the shepherd-teacher is to equip the saints to do the work of the ministry. John Flack many years ago said this about The Great Commission, "The Great Commission of Christ was not somebodyu trying to reach everybody, but everybody trying to reach somebody." Keep up the good work and pray I will also, thank you!
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Re: How the Most Misquoted Verse in the Bible Is Destroying America
| Posted On: 07/21/05 10:14:39 AM |
Age 40, MN |
This article is absolutely on target.
Recently, employees where I work were invited to participate in a GLBT Session to learn, among other things, "how to foster an appreciation for those with other sexual orientations". According to the dictionary I referenced, an appreciation for something is: "Recognition of the quality, value, significance, or magnitude of people and things. A judgment or opinion, esp. a favorable one."
I try to treat every person with respect because he/she is a human being, but I dislike my employer trying to manipulate me into having a favorable judgment of an immoral lifestyle.
Of course, I declined to participate in the Session this time, but we need to keep this type of thing from becoming a mandatory requirement in the workplace rather than an invitation.
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Re: How the Most Misquoted Verse in the Bible Is Destroying America
| Posted On: 07/21/05 10:09:51 AM |
Age 73, PA |
I heard this from another source, but I agree with it wholeheartedly. When we evaluate the lives and actions of others, we should do so in light of the Word of God. When the Decalog or the Lord Jesus has already passed judgement, I am not judging. I am simply reenforcing the judgement God has already rendered. When I say a couple that is cohabitating is wrong, Jesus had already judged adultry. When I tell the thief he is wrong, Jesus has already judged thievery. When I confront a person with lying, Jesus has already judged the liar. So what is so unique about my passing judgement on the behavior that God has already judged and condemned?
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Re: How the Most Misquoted Verse in the Bible Is Destroying America
| Posted On: 07/21/05 09:45:42 AM |
Age 39, VA |
I agree that it is not our position to judge people's souls. Only our Lord can know enough about an individual to come to a fair conclusion about what lies beneath an action. Yet, it is up to us to hold others accountable for their actions in a moral society, else society would run itself into complete chaos. I believe that this is where our judgement comes into play. We must love the sinner, but at the same time hate the sin.
The problem comes in, I believe, when truth gets twisted into a form which then fits an "individual's" reality. Just because one calls something "truth" for them, does not make it actual Truth. Where there is light, darkness cannot exist. And, just because someone believes otherwise does not mean that "otherwise" is a possibility.
We have Truth, proven time and time again. And to allow others to wander blindly about, mired in "false truths", would be no different than allowing them to slowly dig a hole which they may, at some point, not be able to get out of. Jesus says in Matt 25:45,"Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me." Therefore, just to ignore or "tolerate" other's wrongs without bringing it to their attention, we turn our backs not only on them, but also on Jesus himself. Would you turn your back on Jesus if He ever needed help?! I would surely hope not.
So, while we must hold the purputrators accountable for their actions, thus, judging those actions, we must also love the lost soul within them, nonjudgementally, through the process of retribution. Especially in the case of terrorism.
I believe in defending the innocent in times of war. Yet, I also believe that the only way to overcome a threat such as this, is to bring to justice those who will come peacefully, and to love them over to God's Truth and away from a false prophet's lies. Not a popular path to take, I know, but remember, there is a soul inside each one of them waiting to be saved. And this is our "soul" purpose for being here, to bring the most lost among us the saving word of God.~F.H.IV~
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- Re: Re: How the Most Misquoted Verse in the Bible Is Destroying America
| Posted On: 07/21/05 01:50:45 PM | | Age 66, FL |
And just how many terrorists do you think will come "peacefully" to accept our so-called judgement? I think none. These people consider themselves to be at war with us. If we sit back and do nothing to defend ourselves, our nation and our way of life will not long endure. The Bible is full of examples where God's people were instructed by God himself to go to war to defend themselves against ungodly attackers.
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- Re: Re: Re: How the Most Misquoted Verse in the Bible Is Destroying America
| Posted On: 07/22/05 01:29:17 PM | | Age 24, TN |
The Bible also says God commanded "God's people" to slaughter all the women and children in enemy tribes. Does this mean we should kill everyone in the Middle East? Also, maybe God's goal isn't to maintain "our nation and our way of life". Even the Israelites way of life was destroyed several times by God's will, and America is not God's chosen nation.
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Re: How the Most Misquoted Verse in the Bible Is Destroying America
| Posted On: 07/21/05 09:06:39 AM |
Age 25, MI |
"If Americans dont start to judge and punish evil..."
Mr. Howse, are you advocating stoning, here?
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- Re: Re: How the Most Misquoted Verse in the Bible Is Destroying America
| Posted On: 07/21/05 05:09:32 PM | | Age 44, IA |
Come on, that is not what he is saying. Lets stop pretending that all thing are morally equal, like the postmodern world. There is a moral difference between the founding fathers and terrorist. We can distinguish between a cold blooded murderer and a baby. one system is morally superior to another. and from this judgment we can and should act. Otherwise we risk becoming a people who know what we ought to do but fail to act (James). That is not to say thatwe continally examine ourselves lest we swerve in becoming those who are unjust in the name of Jesus. Look, there are verses in the Koran that advocates the slaughter of infidels. It is not a stretch or twisted theology to call for a jihad. However it is twisted theology and a huge stretch to justify the slaughter of Jews, Muslims and various other peoples through out history, out of the Bible. Love your neighbors as yourself, love you enemies, consider other more important than yourselves, Turn the other cheek, and hundreds of other commands
clearly show that Christianty is far superior to any other worldview. Look, if the New Testament were obeyed fully we would have heaven here on earth. If the Koran or any other book/document were obeyed the entire world would be one big Sudan.
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- Re: Re: How the Most Misquoted Verse in the Bible Is Destroying America
| Posted On: 07/21/05 05:02:50 PM | | Age 61, MO |
Judgement in the Bible is allowed when done by the leaders to judge right and wrong based upon the law of God.
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Re: How the Most Misquoted Verse in the Bible Is Destroying America
| Posted On: 07/21/05 08:50:33 AM |
Age 56, TX |
Amen & Amen! God instructs the believers (those who are spiritual) to "judge all things"--2 Corinthians 2:15
Do not let your readers believe that the silent majority is no longer the majority--because it is simply not true.
I believe that it would be better to encourage the majority to be aware of the shackles that are being placed upon us by a strategically placed few (it is difficult to know when to use the word minority?).
W. Watterson
Houston, Texas
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