tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post994405095632061303..comments2023-09-12T11:31:20.729-05:00Comments on Straight-Friendly: Left BehindTimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01271248501086241494noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-82386002477607407552010-05-31T13:40:31.852-05:002010-05-31T13:40:31.852-05:00Thank you, Sir.Thank you, Sir.TomCathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11397335545286040472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-13557758584645730032010-05-29T19:55:34.898-05:002010-05-29T19:55:34.898-05:00TomCat, I'd be delighted to add you. Our chief...TomCat, I'd be delighted to add you. Our chief purpose here is bringing everyone together and including the fine work of a straight brother is a joy indeed!<br /><br />Peace,<br />TimTimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01271248501086241494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-9814421502675570032010-05-29T13:55:42.160-05:002010-05-29T13:55:42.160-05:00Thanks, Tim. I'm so glad you did. I like it ...Thanks, Tim. I'm so glad you did. I like it here. I just added you to the blogroll at PP, and if you see fit to add PP to yours, I assure you that, although straight myself, I am LGBT supportive.TomCathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11397335545286040472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-24551265884634971102010-05-28T23:35:44.334-05:002010-05-28T23:35:44.334-05:00Grant, a most intriguing take--the Bible as a mirr...Grant, a most intriguing take--the Bible as a mirror of sorts, one that removes our self-imposed distortions and reveals us "naked before God." I like that very much. Of course, when we don't like what we see, we start looking for ways to cloud the mirror. And for many of us the easiest way to do that is by pulling at scriptures that distort Christ's teachings. If we can engineer ways to make others look bad, we don't look so bad after all, I guess. Thanks for this.<br /><br />TomCat, it's great to see you here; welcome to S-F! I've long admired your balance and sense of humor at Sherry's place and don't know why it took me so long to get over to your blog and enjoy it more fully! I do love the "Judas" syllogism as the perfect example of how crazy things can get when we lash together a bunch of verses--and pretext is the perfect word for it, too. <br /><br />When I was growing up, we didn't even need three scriptures; one would do. So, for instance, someone read John 3.19 - "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil." He/she dropped the first half, and somehow gathered since movie theaters dimmed the lights to show films, going to movies was sinful. Imagine, I didn't see "Mary Poppins" as a child because I could go to Hell for it! Not that it matters--but then again, it does, because that same sort of lunacy is applied to far more serious issues, like inclusion, equality, care for the sick and poor, etc. We can't leave Christ's teaching behind!<br /><br />Jan, thanks--and welcome to S-F as well! The picture just seemed to sum it for me, a person presuming to be a frontrunner, yet perilously isolated from the rest. It also brought to mind another favorite scripture: "You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?" (Gal. 5.7)<br /><br />Thanks to all of you for your thoughts. They add much to this post--and I'm always grateful for the help!<br /><br />Blessings,<br />TimTimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01271248501086241494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-63467289161782283782010-05-28T18:43:15.034-05:002010-05-28T18:43:15.034-05:00I really like this picture with your caption.I really like this picture with your caption.Janhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08061517211101084120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-61197855857072919782010-05-28T14:55:32.143-05:002010-05-28T14:55:32.143-05:00Hi Tim. First thanks for your visit and comment a...Hi Tim. First thanks for your visit and comment at Politics Plus.<br /><br />On topic, thank you for a compelling piece here. I have long believed that any text out of context is pretext, because the Bible can be used to support any position. For example:<br /><br />And Judas went out and hung himself.<br />Go thou and do likewise.<br />What thou doeth do quickly.<br /><br />I can't imagine a better context than Jesus' teachings.TomCathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11397335545286040472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-11764328229039458842010-05-28T11:06:44.899-05:002010-05-28T11:06:44.899-05:00Interestingly, I was just going through lecture 18...Interestingly, I was just going through lecture 18 yesterday in this online series from Yale Divinity school:<br /><br />http://www.academicearth.org/lectures/arguing-with-paul<br /><br />Prof. Martin outlines some of the diversity of thought in the early church and how current orthodoxy panned out since then ... and still goes on today in fact.<br /><br />I sometimes think that each of us "gets" from the bible what we bring to it. It's like a science fiction story where some kind of Magic Jewel causes people to reveal who they really are (are choosing to become/ making themselves into) by what they see when they gaze into it. In this way judgement occurs as their inner hearts are revealed and they are ultimately left without defences or pretensions about who they are. Naked before God as it were.<br /><br />If I were a fiction writer, maybe I could actually write this ;-).<br /><br />Thanks again for sharing your thoughts Tim. Always helpful.Grantnoreply@blogger.com