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Well I think that quote is about men holding a particular religious office, not all men.

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ORIGINAL: XianDominSJ

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ORIGINAL: SirLordTrainer

The bible does point to or make references to D/s structure of sorts. Honor, obey. Even self-flagellation to 'cleanse' oneself of sins. Although I find that one more conducive if Im doing the flogging on them. hah

Actually, the Bible makes absolutely no mention of self-flagellation to cleanse oneself of anything.  In fact, such a concept violates the entire basis of Gospel that Christ died once and for all for all sins. We can do nothing to add to it and to do so is an insult to the sufficiency of all that He is done. The misunderstanding or outright denial of that basic tenet of Christian faith is what led one segment of the "Christian" church to engage in that practice for a period of time.  Indeed there is a lot of flogging in the New Testament, but it's Christians (or Christ himself) on the receiving end.

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ORIGINAL: thetammyjo



That said, first, why am I writing in blue?

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ORIGINAL: XianDominSJ

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Well I think that quote is about men holding a particular religious office, not all men.

Yup. "Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife..." and "appoint elders in every town as I directed you, if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife..." (1 Timothy 3:2 & Titus 1:5 respecitively) Overseer and elder, sometimes translated "bishop" in old editions, are the same word in the original (greek: "Episkopos", over[epi]+seer[skopos]) and refer to the specific authoritative office in the local/regional church who must "hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it."

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Where does that leave women? Does it mean that women can't hold offices or that the marriage limitations don't apply to them? Or does it mean that the disciple who wrote those letters (it wasn't Jesus folks) was responding to a particular church with particular issues?

The answer to your questions will come from taking those above references and reading them in context of the surrounding chapters. Remember the Paul's two letters to Timothy and Titus are called the "Pastoral Epistles" because they are really letters of instruction and exhortation from the Apostle Paul to his two younger pastoral students. Although no less theological than anything else he wrote, those three books are more practical application than his letters to the churches (e.g., Corinthians, Galatians, etc.) In addition to the words of Christ, if a Christian wants to see how pastoring/sheparding is done, the Pastoral Epistles are great. I hear around here and on the journals something to the effect of, "Look, losers, if you're living at home and can't even manage your own life..." well, that common sense is a codified mandate in Scripture.

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ORIGINAL: thetammyjo


I know all these passages I just don't frankly have the time to look them up -- I was asking general questions to try and get others to think a bit more than acting like everything in the bible is the same quality or of perfect reliability.

As for Paul or Peter or John or any other writer; they aren't Jesus. My example as a Christian is Jesus not these guys who had their own ideas and their own agendas just like religious leaders today.

Or to put it in the terms my particular demonation taught me: When Jesus speaks, we speak. Where Jesus is silent, we are silent. (Often it was added that in reality this meant that it was between you and God and not a matter for another person to determine)

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ORIGINAL: SirLordTrainer

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ORIGINAL: thetammyjo


I know all these passages I just don't frankly have the time to look them up -- I was asking general questions to try and get others to think a bit more than acting like everything in the bible is the same quality or of perfect reliability.

As for Paul or Peter or John or any other writer; they aren't Jesus. My example as a Christian is Jesus not these guys who had their own ideas and their own agendas just like religious leaders today.

Or to put it in the terms my particular demonation taught me: When Jesus speaks, we speak. Where Jesus is silent, we are silent. (Often it was added that in reality this meant that it was between you and God and not a matter for another person to determine)

Speaking of those 'other writers' and Jesus, Im going to play Devils advocate for a moment and go out on a limb, if no one minds. As well mind you Im not looking to stir up the proverbial hornets nest. How do we actually know that the 'red' written words were in fact of Jesus himself. What concrete proof is there? Da Vinci code?

On another note has anyone heard of the passages from the bible that were excised because it didnt fit "their" ideaology of Christ? Which if any of it is true I can see why. Case in point, there is a book called ''The Lost Books of the Bible'' which Ive heard (not seen) that makes Jesus out to be a murderer in his youth. Something to the effect of Jesus was in a village, and for whatever reason, another boy wanted to fight Jesus. The passage goes something like; The boy ran so hard against Jesus that Jesus waved his hand and said Lay down nor ever rise again. Thoughts and opinions on this? Thanks in advance, to any and all.

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chrstnmalesub:  STD's were virtually unheard of in the '40's

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ORIGINAL: SirLordTrainer

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ORIGINAL: agirl

Yes, I think that when I'm dead, I'm dead.  I think for myself and am not *guided* by a *higher power*, no.

agirl

Then Im surprised you even bother with this thread at all, quite honestly. I find it sad you feel that way. I wouldve thought you believed in something if not christianity.

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ORIGINAL: MistressGayle

to "agirl"... regarding the tract you received from the JWs....

Not one single prophecy they've spouted has come to pass EVER; as a matter of fact, they change their tenets quite frequently. They used to say that a blood transfusion was against the laws of God, so many died due to this useless act of control. Scriptures say that "eating" blood was not allowed -- goes through the digestive tract, not the "circulatory tract" as in a transfusion.  These people's own version of the Bible is polytheistic, yet many of them have no clue.... they are truly lost and don't come close to comparing with Jesus or Christianity. Jehovah's Witlesses are a horrible, abusive, guilt-ridden cult. I have helped many to escape it's clutches and they are scarred for life, mentally, and more often than not, physically...

However, the prophecies of the Hebrew Bible have been, and are rapidly coming to pass...

Do some research and you will find that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life....

Be well.

Mistress

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ORIGINAL: chrstnmalesub

I've talked to a number of elderly people because I've been interested in what society was really like prior to the '60's and they have unanimously told me that they never heard of sexual transmitted diseases until at least the '60's and mostly in the '70's.  If verneral diseasse was as prevelant as you say it was in the '30's, then how could it be possible that elderly people in this country did not hear of it until the '60's and '70's?  Provide some documented evidence to your spouting off or stick with the truth.

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ORIGINAL: chrstnmalesub

"What I attempted to point out was that organized religions tend to have control issues with people acting out their biological urges, such as sex, bdsm, etc., and attempt to denigrate and/or control them through their spiritual precepts."


Hi Sinergy,

Yes, it may appear that way, but many times there is good reason for it. It can be strongly argued that, before the sexual revolution of the '60's, people engaged in less pre-marital sex and statistics show that there were significantly fewer cases of STD's, much less divorce, etc, back then. i've brought the subject up to a few aunts and uncles who are at least in their 60's and they agree that a person was thought of as dirty if he or she had sex before marriage and it wasn't very prevelant at all. STD's were virtually unheard of in the '40's and look at all of the elderly people who have reached their 50th wedding anniversary compared to people in their 40's who have been divorced at least once.

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ORIGINAL: subdelicious

SLT, i would recommend that you read the book.  The movie is not as good.  Of course, i love all Tom Hanks movies and this one is no exception, if you are looking for an interesting take the Jesus/Mary Magdalen connection, the book does explains details much better.  Remember though, this is advertised as fiction.