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February 10, 2006
gospel ? truth?
If any clergy actually preach the gospel, will they be ostracized or unemployed? I am not sure but I would guess very quickly. Indeed he or she might not have an opportunity to finish the sermon.I am including the portions of the gospels that are ofensive in my arguement. We very often get into heated discussions at school about these verses. Most of you reading this know I am a liberal christian in the manner of Funk and Spong, the jesus seminar. A humanist.
Well what do you think?
1 Corinthians 11:3-10 But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ. 4 Every man who has something on his head while praying or prophesying, disgraces his head. 5 But every woman who has her head uncovered while praying or prophesying, disgraces her head; for she is one and the same with her whose head is shaved. 6 For if a woman does not cover her head, let her also have her hair cut off; but if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, let her cover her head. 7 For a man ought not to have his head covered, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. 8 For man does not originate from woman, but woman from man; 9 for indeed man was not created for the woman’s sake, but woman for the man’s sake. 10 Therefore the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.
1 Corinthians 14:33-35 for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. 34 Let the women keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but let them subject themselves, just as the Law also says. 35 And if they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church.
1 Timothy 5:10 having a reputation for good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work.
Titus 2:3-5 Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips, nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, 4 that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be dishonored.
See also 1 Timothy 2:9-15, Romans 16:1-6 and Luke 8:1-3.
I am not the first christian to wrestle with the gospels. I think anytime the gospels are not viewed through the lense of time and culture then they cannot be understood.
| By jjtechno | 08:02 PM
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Comments
Thanks for the comments Carl. We have the same arguement you make at school. Possibly I ahould narrow the lens of time and culture to ," The new testament viewed outside of judaism"...
The treatment of women outside of that time and culture would result in the end of christianity as we commonly know it.
best regards
Posted by: glen at February 13, 2006 07:28 AM
jjtechno,
Taking you at your words, (for what else may one be taken at?), I answer your questions. You said, “If any clergy actually preach the gospel, will they be ostracized or unemployed? …Indeed he or she might not have an opportunity…”
The first question and first observation is this. What do you mean by the gospel? The passages that you listed are not, in fact, the gospel of Jesus Christ. This does not mean that they are not relevant to Christians; that is another debate entirely. But I Corinthians 11:3-10, I Corinthians 14:33-35, I Timothy 5:10, Titus 2:3-5, and the others cited are not the gospel of the death and burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. If, then, you are seeking to equate those passages cited with the gospel about which Jesus himself preached, we will be unable to come to any conclusion. And this is so for the simple fact that the “gospel” of the kingdom of heaven calls men everywhere to repentance and faith, but does not call them to address the verses you have cited for their salvation. That last phrase, for their salvation, is critical.
I disagree entirely with your statement that, to be understood, the gospels must be viewed through the lens of time. That is, if you meant that we must read the gospels in light of our contemporary setting before they may be accepted, I reject your statement as false. If you meant something else, I recant.
Finally, I am most surprised that you did not comment on I Cor. 11:8, and the specific ramifications of that statement.
Sincerely,
Carl
Posted by: Carl at February 13, 2006 12:57 AM
