No problem. I've got brooms and vacuums. And with three dogs and 4 cats, I've cleaned up worse messes.

Two dogs, one eight months old;
and two cats, 16 and 13.
I hear ya.

Nonsense usually is. Things that make sense aren't complicated.



But being gay is still bad, while eating shellfish is OK.

Like I said, nonsense.



Translation: You can't defend your beliefs in any sort of coherent way, so rather than even make the attempt, you prefer to airily proclaim that you "understand", and that such "understanding" is beyond "unbelievers," which includes anyone who disagrees with your personal interpretation. And then shift the blame for your own arrogance on to God. Well played!



See, the thing is, to paraphrase Berke Breathed, no matter how thin you slice it, it's still baloney.

I thought I was the one who keeps saying that the OT doesn't matter due to Christ's new covenant. And you're the one saying that it still applies.

I guess it only applies sometimes, in certain circumstances, under certain conditions, when it fits your interpretation? Faith shouldn't require solving such mental Rubik's Cubes.

Get real, Beavis. The Divine Incarnation is a complicated and necessarily precise discussion among believers. To even begin an exploration of the Divine Incarnation with one who does not acknowledge the Godhead except in ridicule, is nothing but a exercise in futility.

God's Word says that those who do not have the Holy Spirit cannot understand the teachings of the Spirit. That's why holy scripture sounds like foolishness to you.

I didn't make the rules, I only strive to heed them.

No mental gymnastics involved. It's quite simple.
Christians are to obey OT law reaffirmed by Christ and His Apostles.
If it wasn't reaffirmed, Christians are not obligated by it.

Thus speaketh the purveyor of circular logic.



Well, see, there's the thing.

Not all of it does.

But since I don't agree with your exact, precise, personal interpretation, you label me a "nonbeliever", etc. etc. ad nauseum, and claim I "don't understand."

And then, as I said, you pass off the responsibility for your own arrogance to God:



QED

Well, see, here's the thing: I didn't say you couldn't understand anything scriptural. Scripture reveals that God has given man a measure of grace, so even children can understand the Sermon on the Mount.

You label yourself a non-believer with your ridicule of God as an "imaginary friend."

But then why don't most Christians follow the teachings of Jesus?

"You have heard that it was said, 'eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also." (Matthew 5:38-39)

Seems to me only the Quakers/Amish/Mennonites are following this one...with a teensy few pacifists and conscientious objectors thrown in for good measure.

"It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God." (Mark 10:25)
"do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth" (Matthew 6:19)
"You cannot serve both God and Money". (Matthew 6:24)
"woe to you who are rich." (Luke 6:24)

So then why are so many pastors teaching and Christians following prosperity gospel teachings?

"But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell." (Matthew 5:28-30)

Shouldn't we be seeing a lot of one-eyed, one-handed Christians walking around? Unless, of course, we're NOT really supposed to be taking the Bible literally. Hmmmmm...

But, for those fundamentalists who believe we should be taking the entire Bible literally...and there are more and more of them around...then why don't we follow these teachings of Christ? Correct me if I'm wrong (and I'm sure you will) but haven't you argued for literal interpretation of the Bible? Still got both eyes and hands?

Back to trying to resolve this spiritual Rubik's Cube.

Anyone else see any qualifiers or modifiers before or after the phrase "holy scripture"?



Now you're saying that not only am I stupid, but I'm stupid because I understand the Sermon on the Mount.

Supply-Side Jesus must be so proud.