-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Survival of the fittest vs. compassionate Christianity
- Thread starter psy-ops
- Start date
- Joined
- Dec 29, 1999
- Messages
- 932
There was a comedian, Emo Phillips, that described how God works, like this:
"all my life I kept praying to God, and asking for a new bicycle. Buit God, and his wisdom, doesn't work that way. So I just stole a bike and asked God to forgive me!!!!!"
Well at least i thought it was funny!!!!:footinmou
"all my life I kept praying to God, and asking for a new bicycle. Buit God, and his wisdom, doesn't work that way. So I just stole a bike and asked God to forgive me!!!!!"
Well at least i thought it was funny!!!!:footinmou
- Joined
- May 2, 2002
- Messages
- 407
Interestingly enough, the early Church was in a situation of attempting to survive the loss of property and basic necessities often in the face of direct violent confrontations. They did so by banding together and 'having all things in common, so that none would lack anything'. It is the Christian way to share and to assist those of like faith first, and to the community around them second. As to religious persecution and death: When it is time, we will know by the Holy Spirit. Otherwise we strive to survive.
Also:
coyotlviejo has nailed it pretty well I think. Here is a little back-up for what he has already said:
1Timothy 5:3-8
Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion in practice by caring for their own family and so repying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help. But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. Give the people these instructions, too, so that no one may be open to blame. If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
2Thessalonians 3:6-13
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat."
We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busy-bodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right.
Luke 10:25-36
On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
"What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?"
He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind' ; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' "
"You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live."
But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him.
The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the inn keeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I willl reimburse you for any extra expense you may have had.'
"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"
The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him."
Jesus told himm "Go and do likewise."
New International Version
In the last account above (The Good Samaritan) I would like to point out for those who may not be aware of it that there was very bad blood between Jews and Samaritans at that time. I am not sure if it would apply to the Jewish and Palestinian relationship today, but it may have been similar. Do you see how much deeper this parable becomes when you apply this information to it? My compassion and help must not be filtered through any predujice I may have.
One of the points being made above is that 'the man' who is assumed to be a Jew, is left for dead by two of his bretheren-Priests and Levites were forbidden to touch dead bodies or they would have to be 'cleansed' at the Temple. I believe the point is made that rather than risk this time consuming and bothersome task to check on the mans condition, they just avoided him altogether. Ironically they broke a much greater direct commandment by NOT helping than they would have by becoming unclean had the man actually been dead.
So, here we have a 'lowly' Samaritan rising above the righteousness of both a Priest and a Levite because he fulfilled the Law to love his neighbor as himself.
Although the standard is high, it is the desire of the Lord that those called by His name strive to live out the above Scripture in our daily lives.
Also:
coyotlviejo has nailed it pretty well I think. Here is a little back-up for what he has already said:
1Timothy 5:3-8
Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion in practice by caring for their own family and so repying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help. But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. Give the people these instructions, too, so that no one may be open to blame. If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
2Thessalonians 3:6-13
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat."
We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busy-bodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right.
Luke 10:25-36
On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
"What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?"
He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind' ; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' "
"You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live."
But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him.
The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the inn keeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I willl reimburse you for any extra expense you may have had.'
"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"
The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him."
Jesus told himm "Go and do likewise."
New International Version
In the last account above (The Good Samaritan) I would like to point out for those who may not be aware of it that there was very bad blood between Jews and Samaritans at that time. I am not sure if it would apply to the Jewish and Palestinian relationship today, but it may have been similar. Do you see how much deeper this parable becomes when you apply this information to it? My compassion and help must not be filtered through any predujice I may have.
One of the points being made above is that 'the man' who is assumed to be a Jew, is left for dead by two of his bretheren-Priests and Levites were forbidden to touch dead bodies or they would have to be 'cleansed' at the Temple. I believe the point is made that rather than risk this time consuming and bothersome task to check on the mans condition, they just avoided him altogether. Ironically they broke a much greater direct commandment by NOT helping than they would have by becoming unclean had the man actually been dead.
So, here we have a 'lowly' Samaritan rising above the righteousness of both a Priest and a Levite because he fulfilled the Law to love his neighbor as himself.
Although the standard is high, it is the desire of the Lord that those called by His name strive to live out the above Scripture in our daily lives.
Posted by Guncollector:
"My personal philosophy: First and foremost, in any disaster-type situation, assure you and your family are "taken care of" and squared-away before contemplating charity. Subsequently, wisely "give until it hurts a bit" and you've done right in my book."
I think you hit the nail on the head. I would tend to help people in this order; family, neighbors who are friends, neighbors that I don't know well, everyone else. With limited resources, I doubt that I would make it past the group of neighbors who are friends.
"My personal philosophy: First and foremost, in any disaster-type situation, assure you and your family are "taken care of" and squared-away before contemplating charity. Subsequently, wisely "give until it hurts a bit" and you've done right in my book."
I think you hit the nail on the head. I would tend to help people in this order; family, neighbors who are friends, neighbors that I don't know well, everyone else. With limited resources, I doubt that I would make it past the group of neighbors who are friends.
- Joined
- Jun 26, 2001
- Messages
- 72
Jesus said there are two commandments:
Love God
Love Thy Neighbor as Thyself.
On these two thing hang all of the law. If you do these two things you cannot but be compassionate to others no matter what your own situation is.
Of course the immediate question is: "Who is my neighbor?"
To answer this question Christ told the story of the "Good Samaritan" which in a nutshell was about a beaten and robbed man who was rescued and taken care of by a man who from a cultural standpoint had reason to hate him.
Survival of the fittest = Everybody dies
"Compassionate" Christianity (the only true kind)= Whosoever will may live.
Love God
Love Thy Neighbor as Thyself.
On these two thing hang all of the law. If you do these two things you cannot but be compassionate to others no matter what your own situation is.
Of course the immediate question is: "Who is my neighbor?"
To answer this question Christ told the story of the "Good Samaritan" which in a nutshell was about a beaten and robbed man who was rescued and taken care of by a man who from a cultural standpoint had reason to hate him.
Survival of the fittest = Everybody dies
"Compassionate" Christianity (the only true kind)= Whosoever will may live.
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2000
- Messages
- 1,001
As a Christian I have found that a better way to think is to help educate those around you. There are people in my church that live by the "God will provide" standard, but I feel God helps those who help themselves. I have pointed many a friend in the direction of these and other forums to help expand their horizons, as well as given them my 2 cents on survival and equipment. I think the Lord wants us to help, but ultimately the choice is the individuals. By providing information and guidance we can help, and after all, isn't that what Jesus did?
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2000
- Messages
- 2,573
Jesus was not being sarcastic when He said to buy a sword. The first time He sent the apostles out to preach, they were to bring no food or supplies since everything they needed, including divine protection, would be provided for them. Later He told them that in the future when they were to travel and preach they were to bring a purse (money, supplies- an ancient Bug Out Bag) and a sword. They now had to provide some of their own protection and provision.
No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were: any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2002
- Messages
- 201
Its truly hard these days to decifer who truly needs a kind helping hand and who are out just to use and gain a free ride through life. The word of GOD states BE NOT AFRAID TO ENTERTAINE STRANGERS FOR SOME HAVE ENTERTAINED ANGLES UNAWARES!. But again the word states somthing about if your ox has fallen into a ditch do you not take the effort to get it out or do you leave it. somthing like that. I also believe its our GOD given right to keep ,protect, and cherish what is ours. Their is a difference between being kind harted and just plane foolish!. Example their is a middle aged women in my neighborhood who some would consider white trash,she has hit just about every one who will put up with her constant sob stories for money,use of phone,handouts etc,to the point where she is a total nusance. Grant you i dont personally know what her problems are,but i do know one thing she has become a self made helpless leech to alot of the neighbors. I truly try to help anyone who truly needs a kind helping hand but im also not a free ticket in life for those who can help themselves its called self reliance. After all im semi disabled my self, and have to have a little help but i also help my self!.
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2000
- Messages
- 4,798
Homer Simpson: "Doesn't the bible also say 'Thou shalt not let moochers into thine hut?"
Rev. Lovejoy: "Where does it say that, Homer?"
Homer Simpson: "Ooohh, somewhere in the back!"
-------------------------------------------------
Me, I take alot of my biblical stuff from the back.
Rev. Lovejoy: "Where does it say that, Homer?"
Homer Simpson: "Ooohh, somewhere in the back!"
-------------------------------------------------
Me, I take alot of my biblical stuff from the back.