FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022 - I (GASP) AM A BIBLE EDITOR

 FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022 - I (GASP) AM A BIBLE EDITOR

I’m not sure I want to write about this - but there are things I take very seriously, and things I don’t accept out of the Bible.  Maybe they are cultural things set in the first century that just don’t apply today, or … maybe I should be accepting those scriptures. (But, by doing this, I'm thinking I'm "editing" the Bible - what I accept and what I don't accept.  

All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness.  2 Timothy 3:16.

That says “ALL”. All scripture is inspired!!

*****

Well, the following sounds cultural:

“Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak but must be in submission, as the law says.  If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.  1 Corinthians 14:34-35

(This is right after 1 Corinthians 13: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts hopes, and always perseveres.  I fully honor and accept 1 Corinthians 13, but don’t accept 1 Corinthians 14:34-35)

And

And now these three remain faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.)

Love - but women must be silent!!

How about this one:

“But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love, and holiness with propriety. (1 Tim. 2:11-15)

WOW - barren women can’t be saved?  Oh My!!!!  

*****

I fully accept Psalm 136:

Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Oh, give thanks to the God of gods! For His mercy endures forever. Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords! For His mercy endures forever: To Him who alone does great wonders, For His mercy endures forever; To Him who by wisdom made the heavens, For His mercy endures forever; To Him who laid out the earth above the waters, For His mercy endures forever; (and more).

GOD’s MERCY ENDURES FOREVER!!!

If God is so merciful, why did he not let Moses into the promised land?  Because he struck a rock twice instead of once?  (And, when I compare myself with Moses, I am not even close).  I am a terrible sinner compared to Moses - can God’s mercy extend to me?  

Yes, I have been known to “pick and choose” positive verses. But, as a woman (at least according to St. Paul), I’m to be silent in the church, I’m to keep my head covered in church, I might be saved through childbirth.  

Romans 1: 26-27 says: (written by St. Paul)

“Women stopped having natural sex with men and started having sex with other women.  In the same way, men stopped having natural sex with women and began wanting each other all the time. Men did shameful things with other men, and in their bodies, they received the punishment for those wrongs.”  

I know a lot of gay and lesbian friends who love their partners deeply and have a commitment to each other.  

The verses above (Romans 1:26-27) flow naturally into Romans chapter 2, verses 1-2:

“So do you think that you can judge those other people? You are wrong. You too are guilty of sin. You judge them, but you do the same things they do. So when you judge them, you are really condemning yourself. God judges all who do such things, and we know his judgment is right.”

Americans and American Churches are stuck in this dilemma. Accept gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender people - or not accept them.  Likewise, some American churches have a hard time accepting females and do not allow female clergy.  

I don’t know the reality.  I do know that God loves me; God has called me; God has blessed me; and that “Love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8).  

I am not qualified to judge another person for whoever they are.  I don’t really know how God will handle this (and HALLELUJAH - HE/SHE/IT/PARENT/THE FORCE is in charge.)

I believe that LOVE WINS!!

I know that I am so finite I can appreciate God’s Love, Grace, and Mercy in my life but I can’t fully understand an infinite God.  But, I really don’t have it!!

Karen

April 29, 2022

(Joke:  Do you know why residents of the capital city of Minnesota are more spiritual than residences of the capital city of Texas?  Well, there is a lot about St. Paul in the Bible, and nothing about Austin!!!)