1.Central to the discussion, of course, is the issue of homosexuality.
Perhaps the discussion itself is redundant, as modern society appears to find such as simply peachy keen. I have friends who are of that persuasion, a few are homosexual, and a number of very conservative pals simply believe the issue is of no concern vis-à-vis government policy.
But, as the Bible is of fundamental importance to our Founders, and the in the memorializing documents of our founding, understanding the lessons in biblical teachings, it remains a pertinent discussion, if only in the abstract.
2. “In the New Testament (NT), there are at least three passages that refer to homosexual activity: Romans 1:26–27, 1 Corinthians 6:9–10, and 1 Timothy 1:9–10. A fourth passage, Jude 1:7, is often interpreted as referring to homosexuality. Jesus discusses marriage only in a heterosexual context when he cites the Book of Genesis during a discussion of marriage (Matthew 19:4–6 and Mark 10:6–9).” Homosexuality in the New Testament - Wikipedia
To expand my understanding of the Old Testament, Dennis Prager’s “Genesis,” is highly easy to read, and his is explanations include translating the Hebrew, …and Genesis 18 and 19 are….eye opening.
3. The Jews are not present in the Bible until chapter 11 of Genesis, indicating that the Bible is about all people. Abraham is the first Jew, selected by God, and in Genesis 18:19, God says he picked Abraham, and hints that what He is about to do to Sodom is a lesson Abraham should teach his children.
“…for I have chosen him, that he may charge his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice; so that the LORD may bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.’”
The question is why he is about to destroy the city of Sodom.
“The Torah revealed ethical monotheism, and this is the verse that summarizes what it means. For the first time, the Torah explicitly states God’s purpose for Abraham and his descendants: to do what is just and right and, implicitly, to teach it to the world.” Prager
Perhaps the concepts have changed in the modern world.
But….about the city of Sodom: Genesis 18.20 Then the Lord said, “The outrage of Sodom and Gomorrah is so great, and their sin so grave!
4. First is God's 'investigation' of Sodom, to see if it deserved destruction.
When Reagan said this about the Soviet Union, “Trust…but verify!,” it was almost an echo of the next verse, where God says he will double-check Sodom, just in case the people have repented.
“One lesson taught here is the need to establish facts before passing judgment; even God does so. One should not condemn, let alone punish, on the basis of hearsay. A second lesson is that God judges all people—and does so according to one set of moral rules. This was an utterly new idea in human history. Unlike pagan gods, who acted according to irrational and amoral whims, God is morally predictable.”
Prager
A Roman Catholic scholar, Father Edward Flannery, drew the same conclusion: “It was Judaism that brought the concept of a God-given universal moral law into the world . . . and willingly or not . . . the Jew carries the burden of God in history and for this has never been forgiven.” ‘The Greatest Hatred in Human History’
Wow!
Jews punished by Western Civilization for not allowing folks to be being able to pretend not to know right from wrong.
Perhaps the discussion itself is redundant, as modern society appears to find such as simply peachy keen. I have friends who are of that persuasion, a few are homosexual, and a number of very conservative pals simply believe the issue is of no concern vis-à-vis government policy.
But, as the Bible is of fundamental importance to our Founders, and the in the memorializing documents of our founding, understanding the lessons in biblical teachings, it remains a pertinent discussion, if only in the abstract.
2. “In the New Testament (NT), there are at least three passages that refer to homosexual activity: Romans 1:26–27, 1 Corinthians 6:9–10, and 1 Timothy 1:9–10. A fourth passage, Jude 1:7, is often interpreted as referring to homosexuality. Jesus discusses marriage only in a heterosexual context when he cites the Book of Genesis during a discussion of marriage (Matthew 19:4–6 and Mark 10:6–9).” Homosexuality in the New Testament - Wikipedia
To expand my understanding of the Old Testament, Dennis Prager’s “Genesis,” is highly easy to read, and his is explanations include translating the Hebrew, …and Genesis 18 and 19 are….eye opening.
3. The Jews are not present in the Bible until chapter 11 of Genesis, indicating that the Bible is about all people. Abraham is the first Jew, selected by God, and in Genesis 18:19, God says he picked Abraham, and hints that what He is about to do to Sodom is a lesson Abraham should teach his children.
“…for I have chosen him, that he may charge his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice; so that the LORD may bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.’”
The question is why he is about to destroy the city of Sodom.
“The Torah revealed ethical monotheism, and this is the verse that summarizes what it means. For the first time, the Torah explicitly states God’s purpose for Abraham and his descendants: to do what is just and right and, implicitly, to teach it to the world.” Prager
Perhaps the concepts have changed in the modern world.
But….about the city of Sodom: Genesis 18.20 Then the Lord said, “The outrage of Sodom and Gomorrah is so great, and their sin so grave!
4. First is God's 'investigation' of Sodom, to see if it deserved destruction.
When Reagan said this about the Soviet Union, “Trust…but verify!,” it was almost an echo of the next verse, where God says he will double-check Sodom, just in case the people have repented.
“One lesson taught here is the need to establish facts before passing judgment; even God does so. One should not condemn, let alone punish, on the basis of hearsay. A second lesson is that God judges all people—and does so according to one set of moral rules. This was an utterly new idea in human history. Unlike pagan gods, who acted according to irrational and amoral whims, God is morally predictable.”
Prager
A Roman Catholic scholar, Father Edward Flannery, drew the same conclusion: “It was Judaism that brought the concept of a God-given universal moral law into the world . . . and willingly or not . . . the Jew carries the burden of God in history and for this has never been forgiven.” ‘The Greatest Hatred in Human History’
Wow!
Jews punished by Western Civilization for not allowing folks to be being able to pretend not to know right from wrong.
