Facebook Discussion on Same-sex marriage and the Role of Christianity in our Lives

Facebook Discussion on Same-sex marriage and

the Role of Christianity in our Lives

Randall commented on your link.

Randall wrote: "Geoff, regarding your comment above about reverence for the bible, there are many faithful people who come from a tradition centered around Christ's teaching that fully reject bible worship. It is mind-boggling when "Christians" trot out select phrases from the bible to judge people different (or not really different) from themselves, while ignoring Jesus' command to love one another, be charitable in judgement, treat others as you wish to be treated (one of the 2 greatest commandments). The bible as we know it today was put together by the Roman Empire to preserve the Roman Empire, and other more spiritual gospels were banned as heretical because they did not require subservience to central authority. If we are to worship God's creation, we should use the brains God gave us to observe the real world around us, and not just follow false teachers like sheep."

Dear Randy:

Thanks for writing back.  I agree with your general contention that God gave us a brain that should be used constructively.  This is one of the reasons why I defer to the New Testament more than the Old Testament.  Yet, Jesus (himself) said that salvation is gained only through him.  That is pretty stark and not left to interpretation.

My main Christian tenets are similar to yours: love your neighbor as yourself, practice kindness and forgiveness towards your fellow man, and remain humble - go into a private room to pray rather than praying only in public like some televangelists.  But again, Jesus said that most important commandment is to love God with all your heart and all your being.  The exact quote follows.

Matthew 22:36-40

New International Version (NIV)

36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two

commandments.”

It seems as though our friend is rejecting the words of Jesus and therefore Jesus himself.  This troubles me and I hope that he can reconcile his political beliefs with the Christianity of his family.  WORD TOTAL 382

Best, Geoff