Why This Sin?

Much of our society has embraced so many different things, in away evolving as time passes. However, no matter how disappointing it may be there is still an issue that stays hidden in the dark, one placed there because of unwillingness to be accepted and sheer lack of understanding by some.  That issue is Homosexuality.  Since this one has been slow to change we realize that this subject can be a very difficult one to address.  Furthermore, as hate crimes specifically committed against homosexuals have stalled out, neither rising or declining, many feel that this issue shouldn't be addressed at all for fear of only adding to the hostile environment.

The word "gay" means merry, exuberant, bright, and lively. More recently it has been adopted by homosexuals. In its original use it did not have this double meaning. I have read many former apposing and agreeing opinions, but it’s only negative perception and that of sin is no different than all the other sins the Bible points out and we in modern society do away with.  So it leaves the negative perception only to be an opinion, and personal opinions or convictions are not religion, they are only opinions.

 Although the Old Testament points out sins in many different factions of life, most of which we as modern day Christians of followers of Christ have thrown to the wayside.   Such as stoning children for being disobedient as Deuteronomy 21:18-21 suggests, or the stoning of woman for committing adultery as Deuteronomy 22:20-21 suggests.   But the things we reject in modern society as unacceptable such as the ones mentioned prior aren’t only in the Old Testament; look at the issue of slavery and its condoned practice in I Peter 2:18.  So why do we feel the need to keep homosexuality in this dark place called sin.

 Homosexuality is also referred to as the sin of sodomy. This reference comes from an account in the Bible of two exceedingly wicked cities, Sodom and Gomorrah, which the Lord destroyed. Sodom was known for its rampant homosexuality and unrestrained sexual lust, as well as other sins such as arrogance, haughtiness, and disregard for the poor. 

Genesis 13:13: "But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly."

But according to the bible this isn’t the reason the two cities were destroyed.  Why were they destroyed?  They had forgotten God, there cry was so great.  It says nothing about homosexuality at all.
 

So what does this mean for homosexuals in today’s world?  Does it all mean that there doomed to be the evil of the world, I think not.  These are people, they live normal loving lives.  Some make it to be doctors, surgeons, lawyers and many other lucrative careers.  Any job a heterosexual does, any goal a heterosexual they do at the same as anyone else.  They feel like everyone else, hurt, smile, and love as deeply as everyone else.  So why is it that there action is so hated?  Ignorance, ignorance for the sin itself, ignorance for the lack and willing to understand, all in all ignorance is the reason.

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The sins mentioned and described in a religion do not need to be reflected in the laws of a said Government.  Take up your own belief but do not prosecute, Prosecuting someone for their sexual preference is truly no different from what the bible considers sin, and goes against what Jesus taught.

Jesus came preaching a message of love and acceptance.  But because we have forgotten the prophetic ministry of Christ we fail to see this.  After all Jesus said this about homosexuality;

            “…….”,

That’s right he said zero about homosexuals, whether it be good or bad.  

Religion and State

The Christian concept of the Great Chain of Being, a strict hierarchical categorization of all life and matter with God at the very top and kings above all other humans.  So it begs the question what is a king to a God?  Well it’s no competition. Most kings in the world were on the throne by virtue of what was called the divine right of kings, which supports the argumentation of a God being more powerful than a king.  So in that context what is a government to a God, what are the laws of the said government to God? 

 

What is the notion that God cares anything about politics of who the leader is or more over what laws that country has?   Let us also loot at the Apostle Paul and what he had to say about Government and God.  Here in Romans Paul address the issue of taxes but in my mind makes a strong argument against God in politics. 

⁶ For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. ⁷ Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

Romans 13:6–7

“For the authorities are ministers of God attending to this very thing.”  The issue here is governing. I don’t think anyone could make the argument that taxes is not governing.  I think here the point is made that God wants politics separate. He speaks of the fact that let the Governing authority do what they were sent by God to do and that of Governing.  It seems to call for a clear and concise separation.  But let us see what Christ said on this issue.

Matthew has Jesus professing a clear separation of religion and State.  When the Pharisees asked him about paying taxes he replied give to Caesar (the state) what is Caesar’s and to God what is his.

¹⁷ Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” ¹⁸ But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? ¹⁹ Show me the coin for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. ²⁰ And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” ²¹ They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them,  “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

Matthew 22:17–21

Here it becomes clear to me that Jesus speaks of society separating the issues of the Governing body and those of the Church.  So in that context what is a government to a God, what are the laws of the said government to God?   It too is no competition, and I argue God doesn’t care for it is of no importance to him.  I mean why it would be; he is supreme in the end and his way is above ours.

Nearer My God to Thee

Nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee! 
 E'en though it be a cross that raiseth me, 
 still all my song shall be, 
 nearer, my God, to thee; 
 nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee! 

        Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down, 
 darkness be over me, my rest a stone; 
 yet in my dreams I'd be 
 nearer, my God, to thee; 
 nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee! 

        There let the way appear, steps unto heaven; 
 all that thou sendest me, in mercy given; 
 angels to beckon me 
 nearer, my God, to thee; 
 nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee! 

        Then, with my waking thoughts bright with thy praise, 
 out of my stony griefs Bethel I'll raise; 
 so by my woes to be 
 nearer, my God, to thee; 
 nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee! 

Or if, on joyful wing cleaving the sky, 
        sun, moon, and stars forgot, upward I fly, 
 still all my song shall be, 
 nearer, my God, to thee; 
 nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!

Text: Sarah F. Adams, 1805-1848 
Music: Lowell Mason, 1792-1872 

A Sad Day For A Nation!

Our hearts and prays go out to the Kirk family today.  Sen. Kirk (R) IL suffered a stroke Sunday evening.  Let’s all remember him and his family in this time of sorrow, and pray for a speedy recovery.   Doctors as of yesterday had no medical updates to his condition for the future. It is sad for this to happen to anyone, and hits home even more him being a Navy Commander.  As a veteran of this great nation I salute all that serve.

 Also today Rep. Gifford (D) AZ resigned today to consecrate on healing from her wounds suffered a year ago by an assassination attempt.  Let us all keep her and her family in our prayers.  It is always sad to see good and honest Statesmen and women have to leave their post despite their party.  This nation was better because she served.  Her district I am sure will miss her, and I personally hope she returns to public service as soon as she is ready.

It's Here! Mission Statement and About Me.

The Intellectual Christian - Facebook

We all believe in God in some form of fashion, the only dividing element is religion. This site takes no stance on any faction of Religion, Christian or otherwise. We are simply here to, encourage, enlighten, and help generate thought!

I invite all to participate in discussion, post what you will. All that is asked is that it remain respectful to all who share for we are all God's children. Here will we enlighten one another in thought and in spirit. I hope all that come and view will walk away with some understanding that by labeling ourselves we only divide ourselves.

A little about myself (The Editor):
I am a former Apostolic Pentecostal. I currently major in Political Science and Theology at Valparaiso University (a Lutheran University). My studies in Political Science have led to a concentration in Legal studies and Law. My major in Theology has seemed to be largely in the Old Testament of the Christian Canon known as the Bible and the books of the TANAK that are not in the Bible. I personally have no domination that I formally associate myself with. I am a full believer that God can, and will be worshiped in many and various ways.

I have range of interests in and out of Theology; however, I must say the Nevi'im ("Prophets") are special to me. I find the issues being presented still ring in this day and age.

Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus || Spoken Word

Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus || Spoken Word

What if I told you, Jesus came to abolish religion?
What if I told you getting you to vote republican, really wasn’t his mission?
Because republican doesn’t automatically mean Christian,
And just because you call some people blind, doesn’t automatically give you vision.
If religion is so great, why has it started so many wars?
Why does it build huge churches, but fails to feed the poor?
Tells single moms God doesn’t love them if they’ve ever been divorced
Yet God in the Old Testament actually calls the religious people whores
Religion preaches grace, but another thing they practice,
Tend to ridicule Gods people, they did it to John the Baptist,
Cant fix their problems, so they try to mask it,
Not realizing that’s just like sprayin perfume on a casket
Because the problem with religion is that it never gets to the core,
It’s just behavior modification, like a long list of chores.
Let’s dress up the outside, make things look nice and neat,
Its funny that’s what they do to mummies, while the corpse rots underneath,
Now I ain’t judging I’m just saying be careful of putting on a fake look,
Because there’s a problem if people only know that you’re a Christian by that little section on your facebook
In every other aspect of life you know that logics unworthy
Its like saying you play for the lakers just because you bought a jersey
But see I played this game too; no one seemed to be on to me,
I was acting like church kid, while addicted to pornography.
I’d go to church on Sunday, but on saturday getting faded,
Acting as if I was simply created to have sex and get wasted.
Spend my whole life putting on this façade of neatness,
But now that I know Jesus, I boast in my weakness.
If grace is water, then the church should be an ocean,
Cuz its not a museum for good people, it’s a hospital for the broken
I no longer have to hide my failures I don’t have to hide my sin,
Because my salvation doesn’t depend on me, it depends on him.
because when I was Gods enemy and certainly not a fan,
God looked down on me and said, “I want that man!”
Which is so different from religious people, and why Jesus called em fools
Don’t you see hes so much better than just following some rules?
Now let me clarify, I love the church, I love the bible, and I believe in sin
But my question, is if Jesus were here today, would your church let Him in?
Remember He was called a drunkard and a glutton by “religious men”
The Son of God not supported self-righteousness, not now, not then.

Now back to the topic, one thing I think is vital to mention,
How Jesus and religion are on opposite spectrums,
One is the work of God one is a man made invention,
One is the cure and one is the infection.
Because Religion says do, Jesus says done.
Religion says slave, Jesus says son,
Religion puts you in shackles but Jesus sets you free.
Religion makes you blind, but Jesus lets you see.

This is what makes religion and Jesus two different clans,
Religion is man searching for God, but Christianity is God searching for man.
Which is why salvation is freely mine, forgiveness is my own,
Not based on my efforts, but Christ’s obedience alone.
Because he took the crown of thorns, and blood that dripped down his face
He took what we all deserved, that’s why we call it grace.
While being murdered he yelled “father forgive them, they know not what they do”,
Because when he was dangling on that cross, he was thinking of you
He paid for all your sin, and then buried it in the tomb,
Which is why im kneeling at the cross now saying come on there’s room
So know I hate religion, in fact I literally resent it,
Because when Jesus cried It is finished, I believe He meant it.

Written by Jefferson Bethke

I would first like to say I am in no way affiliated with him or any of his groups just wanted to share this.  I found this to be uplifting and an awesome way of describing not only how he and I feel but also millions of others.  I gave attached all his links below.  Go ahead and check him out!

Facebook of Jefferson Bethke
Website

Supreme Court sides with church on decision to fire employee on religious grounds

Supreme Court Sides with Church

What do you think about this?

Comfort One Another With The Words in Grandpa's Old Bible

As I was lying in bed I found myself drawn to pick up one of my Grandfathers many bibles I was given after his passing.  In it In found a prayer titled “My Prayer”.  Since his passing in ’05 I have opened this bible on many occasion and never noticed in the front left this little pray he jotted down.  I am unsure if it’s completely made up by him or if it is used in some translation of a scripture ( I will continue to research it), however I would like to share it.

                “You are the true source of all that is really life,

                  direct my steps form all that is not of you.

                  Make me more honorable Lord in you.”

               

For some reason this simple prayer sums up all that one could come to a divine deity and ask.  Three lines, 28 words, and two sentences convey one’s simplest, but essential request to his God. 

When I first read this I instantly came to tears.  Personally knowing the man who wrote it and how he lived his life it made me reflect on my wants and needs.  The man I knew him to be words like proud, strong, dedicated, and worthy of all he had, summed my Grandfather up.  However, he himself seen these traits to be God’s work in him. What I knew as a proud man, through this prayer it is evident he wasn’t afraid to kneel before his God and admit all that he possessed wasn’t what life really was about.  What I seen as a strong man, he saw as a meek and humble man asking his creator for strength.  What I seen as a dedicated and determined man, he himself knew to be a man who was afraid of straying from the call.  What I seen as a Honorable man he knew in reality knew that his Lord made him honorable in accordance to his (Gods) will.

   

I thought I’d share this in the hopes that someone, like I, might find hope and comfort in these words.

1 Thessalonians 4:18

“Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”

Sharing:: Ordain Women Now

Ordain Women Now Facebook
Ordain Women Now Web Page

Just wanted to share this Facebook blog page I found on ordaining women in the Lutheran Missouri Synod.  The shunning of women and homosexuals is one of the reasons I don't follow one particular sect of Christianity.

Women should be made ministers in the churches just as men are.  The Apostle Paul believed this as well and had women in positions of power in early Christianity.  Romans 16 shows this to be true.

Bene orasse est bene studuisse