I submit that the problem some Christians have in their insistence that homosexuality is a sin comes from their failure to separate to properly analyze the essence of morality.
The central thesis of this claim is that the point of morality in general and that of Jesus of Nazareth in particular is the focus on the essence of morality: kindness and regard for the welfare and happiness of others. This essential aspect of morality gets obscured by the errant thinking that focuses on particular examples.
Gender Orientation: An Example of Error in Morality Analysis
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Wootah
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Re: Gender Orientation: An Example of Error in Morality Anal
Post #31[Replying to post 28 by Danmark]
John 8:55 - does not contradict Matthew 23:1-4 because Jesus is not saying that their words about God are false but their belief that they know God's heart is false. They know the Old Testament and when they talk about it they know what they are saying. They know the laws set down in it and Jesus isn't condemning their knowledge of it or their words about it. What they did was made the mistake of thinking they could get to heaven by the law rather than faith in God. They don't know God.
Luke 18:11 - prayer is an action. In fact the Pharisee is basically acting - putting on a deliberate public show of faith. This covers Matthew 6:5 as well.
No one knew the Old Testament back then better than the Pharisee's so of course their moral proclamation would in general be according to God.
Also if the Pharisees argue then naturally Jesus will disagree with their words. But the general point is that they were not disagreeing on the foundations of belief and morality in the Bible but they disagreed on the application. Does one honour the Sabbath or does one help another person on the Sabbath. Which law is more important.
John 8:55 - does not contradict Matthew 23:1-4 because Jesus is not saying that their words about God are false but their belief that they know God's heart is false. They know the Old Testament and when they talk about it they know what they are saying. They know the laws set down in it and Jesus isn't condemning their knowledge of it or their words about it. What they did was made the mistake of thinking they could get to heaven by the law rather than faith in God. They don't know God.
Luke 18:11 - prayer is an action. In fact the Pharisee is basically acting - putting on a deliberate public show of faith. This covers Matthew 6:5 as well.
No one knew the Old Testament back then better than the Pharisee's so of course their moral proclamation would in general be according to God.
Also if the Pharisees argue then naturally Jesus will disagree with their words. But the general point is that they were not disagreeing on the foundations of belief and morality in the Bible but they disagreed on the application. Does one honour the Sabbath or does one help another person on the Sabbath. Which law is more important.
Proverbs 18:17 The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.
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"Why is everyone so quick to reason God might be petty. Now that is creating God in our own image
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Member Notes: viewtopic.php?t=33826
"Why is everyone so quick to reason God might be petty. Now that is creating God in our own image
."-
Danmark
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Re: Gender Orientation: An Example of Error in Morality Anal
Post #32Ultimately Christians know the heart of the law, the heart of Christianity is about love. The Pharisees did not understand love; they understood the letter of the law. In this same way today some Christians understand the letter of the law, but are without love.Wootah wrote: [Replying to post 28 by Danmark]
John 8:55 - does not contradict Matthew 23:1-4 because Jesus is not saying that their words about God are false but their belief that they know God's heart is false. They know the Old Testament and when they talk about it they know what they are saying. They know the laws set down in it and Jesus isn't condemning their knowledge of it or their words about it. What they did was made the mistake of thinking they could get to heaven by the law rather than faith in God. They don't know God.
Luke 18:11 - prayer is an action. In fact the Pharisee is basically acting - putting on a deliberate public show of faith. This covers Matthew 6:5 as well.
No one knew the Old Testament back then better than the Pharisee's so of course their moral proclamation would in general be according to God.
Also if the Pharisees argue then naturally Jesus will disagree with their words. But the general point is that they were not disagreeing on the foundations of belief and morality in the Bible but they disagreed on the application. Does one honour the Sabbath or does one help another person on the Sabbath. Which law is more important.
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.�
This is the essence of the argument of why those who focus on preaching and condemnation instead of showing compassion are wrong. I have no doubt about where Jesus would stand today on the issue of accepting those whose orientation differs from the majority.
