mad pierrot said:
on
this guy. Specifically, his
BOOK.
I'm just curious because he seems to be very popular. I'm interested in hearing what Christians think of him and his writing, but all opinions are welcome......In my opinion, this scares the hell out of me. (No pun intended.) I'm surprised how many people I've met who prescribe to this. Has it just been the people I've been meeting?
:?
And yes, I know I'm off topic
again. :biggrin:
:biggrin: Why do you apologize? I think you're on topic. In fact you've just given birth to a new topic. How can a mother apologize for her new born baby?
I tend to elaborate when I really do not know much. This time I will try to spare my words and be brief for once! I'd better be, for the bible says I shall be accountable for everything I say. Speak of scary! But silence shall also be accountable, so better watch myself! Either way, there's no escape.
Assuming you're quotation is accurate, because you sound sincere, let me go over this one line at a time. However, I have to discliam myself because a line by definition is out of context. Doesn't help Mr. Jeffries at all. Here I go.
Rev. Jeffries said:
?gEvery other religion is wrong.?h
Faith has evolved. Every major bible incident speaks of God's revelation of something unheard of perviously. Judeo-Chirstianity is basically characterized as a religion of revelation, covenants and fulfillment. Revelation is evolution in the sense that the partial relationship of the past becomes more full with every incident of God's appearance. So when he says "other" religion, he is gliding over this mysterious and wonderful aspect of his own faith.
Rev. Jeffries said:
?gGod sends good people to Hell.?h
It is written, "Thou shalt not judge." I believe "good" or "bad," "heaven" or "hell" is beyond his priviledge. A reverend is not a priest, btw. Nor is a catholic father, nor the pope. The Jews do not continue priesthood, maybe the Ethiopian Jews do? There is no priviledge for anyone. But as a Christian fellow, he is entitled to express his faith. Just please don't shove it down. Looking at it the other way, he may be referring to the mystery of Job. It's out of context, and I souldn't say much.
Edit: I just realized what he is talking about. He is trying to answer a sunday school question. "Do good people go to hell by not being Christian?"
"Do bad people go to heaven just by being Christian?"
Rev. Jeffries said:
?gHomosexuality is a perversion.?h
Before speaking of homosexuality, does he understand sexuality? If he is trying to help some people on the borderline to assert their sexual identity, I can live with that. If condemning non-straight individuals is his main goal, I think he is making the same mistake of the previous line.
Rev. Jeffries said:
O, the blind leading the blind. He probably wants to fight the arrogance of some scientists who worship their scientific skills; idolators of the self. But many scientists know the difference between skill and cosmic existence, and therefore know to humble themselves. Spirituality is obviously trasparent to some, like glass, so they can't see what is not obvious. I feel as much sorry for them as Mr. Jeffries. But not in the same way I hope.
Rev. Jeffries said:
?gGod is ultimately responsible for suffering in the world.?h
O, Providence, Calvinism. Out of context, it would be unfair to criticize Mr. Jeffries. This could mean a million different things. I understand that the idea is to refute the dualism of God and the devil, which developed out of Persian influence before and after the time of Jesus.
Rev. Jeffries said:
?gHusbands are to lead their families.?h
The ways of the times...what can I say...But a historical approach to the scriptutres always reveals some truth. Applying an incidental and time dependent trend literally to the present is anachronism...Is he asking us to go back in time? Yes, the family is crumbling, and he wants to help.
Rev. Jeffries said:
?gAmerica is a Christian nation.?h
Grossly misleading. If he is talking about the Judeo-Christian undercurrent in US culture, that would be an accurate statement, but still wanting some kind of qualification. In what way it is so, would be illuminating for those who do not see the 2,000 yrs of JC influence on Western civilization. In principle, however, the Puritans only happen to be the first (?maybe not)-- one of the early arrivals from Europe with a religious agenda. I belive the US Constitution also specifies clearly of the freedom to one's faith, not obligation to accept Christianity. But all this is out of context. He may be just trying to home in on a point of spirituality among his congregation. Mina~san, please comment on any undue remarks.
comment on pole: I am unable to vote, because I do not have enough knowledge of Mr. Jeffries' spirituality. I could have voted for "Fundamentalist" but I really can't say anything on that. Maybe he's not even Christian???