Hi to my Forum Friends,
In the discussion "This Article Was Written For The Bill Gray's Of The World" my Friend, Sofa, quotes an article from the Huffington Post, the poster child for liberal writings, which lists the way that Christians fail at being Christian. And, in this discussion, StarryNight declares that Jesus Christ is a Liberal. When I asked him/her to show me in the Bible proof that Jesus Christ is a Liberal -- as expected, before Starry has a chance to take a breath -- Ying and Yang, better known as Sofa and VP, fly in with their answers to the question I had asked of Starry.
So, let's take this opportunity to better understand and discuss Sofa's reasoning on why He believes Jesus Christ is a Liberal.
Sofa, you tell me, "Not even you could turn me away from God, Bill. But the fence sitters? Not so much. What in the hell do you think people will say to your constant, "Believe what I say or else!" message? You are infected with PRIDE, Bill. I pray the Lord will give you a dose of humility to bring you back to earth before it is too late."
But, Sofa, my Friend, the question is: which God are you worshiping -- the God of the Bible -- or the God of the Traditions and Rituals?
Next, you tell me, "Yes, Bill, Jesus was the epitome of a modern day liberal. He championed programs for the poor. He was a pacifist. He believed in taking care of the earth."
John 2:13-17, "Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business. When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers' money and overturned the tables. And He said to those who sold doves, 'Take these things away! Do not make My Father's house a house of merchandise!' Then His disciples remembered that it was written, 'Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up.'"
Yes, sir, Jesus was really a PACIFIST. You can really see it in this Scripture passage. I would not want to get on the wrong side of such a "pacifist."
Then, you tell me, "He didn't have one single word to say about homosexuality but surely would have preached acceptance in order to bring them into the fold, too."
Not one single word, right? Well, let me see. I believe you can find a reference to homosexuality in Leviticus 18:22 (an abomination) -- Leviticus 20:13 (a detestable act) -- Romans 1:26 (degrading passions, unnatural) -- Romans 1:27 (indecent acts) -- 1 Timothy 1:10 (contrary to sound teaching) -- 1 Corinthians 6:9 (shall NOT inherit the kingdom of God). Not a word, right?
Seems to me that God had quite a bit to say about homosexuality. Oh, you say, "But, Jesus is not quoted in the Bible as saying anything against homosexuality?" The last time I checked: Jesus is God, God authored the Bible -- therefore, Jesus, i.e., God, had a lot to say about homosexuality. He wrote it throughout the Bible -- and, as He tells us, Scripture does not change.
On the other hand, YES, He does want to bring them into the fold. All they have to do, which is the same for you and me, is to turn from their worldly lifestyle, i.e., repent, and turn to follow Him. If anyone, homosexual, heterosexual, whatever -- does this; sincerely repents, sincerely turns from the world and becomes a Christ Follower; that person is saved and WILL spend eternity in heaven with Jesus Christ.
You tell me, "He, as I, would frown upon the modern day 'success theology,' country club atmosphere and exclusivity of most churches today."
AMEN! AMEN! AMEN! No one on the Religion Forum has spoken more against the "Prosperity Theology" preachers than me. I detest them, I abhor them, and I cringe every time I see them reaching into the purses and wallets of the less fortunate to get money to pay for their homes and Rolls Royces. One day these people WILL stand before Jesus Christ to answer for this. Enough said.
Then, you declare, "Jesus was a pluralist Liberal who taught that one need not conform to strict and orthodox views of God, religion, and life."
Well, let me see. What is one of the most glaring attributes of a Liberal Theology proponent? I would say the most obvious is their inclination to put the Bible in a lower position of authority -- below their books of Traditions, Rituals, and man-written Prayer Books. In other words, Liberals deny at least three of the Solas, and many deny all five Solas:
1. Sola scriptura -- "by Scripture alone"
2. Sola fide -- "by faith alone"
3. Sola gratia -- "by grace alone"
4. Solus Christus or Solo Christo -- "Christ alone" or "through Christ alone"
5. Soli Deo gloria -- "glory to God alone"
Jesus Christ's life and ministry declared these teachings to be true, over and over. Therefore, there is NO WAY anyone could accuse Jesus Christ of being a Liberal Theology follower.
You tell us, "He rejected greed, violence, the glorification of power, the amassing of wealth without social balance, and the personal judging of others, their lifestyles and beliefs."
How true. Except for the violence, possibly; that is a perfect description of the Prosperity Theology Preachers I mentioned before.
Then, you say, "Over and over again, He taught us to believe in and live a spiritual and ethical life based in our essential, inherent goodness."
Man does not have any inherent goodness; man is inherently sinful. We all live under the sin curse brought upon us by Adam. If you recall, we read in Romans 3:10, "As it is written, 'There is none righteous, NOT EVEN ONE.'"
And, in Romans 3:23, "For ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
No, man is inherently sinful -- and that is why Jesus Christ came to die on the cross; for no man was found righteous enough to pay his own sin debt to God. And, that is why we must turn from the world and become Christ Followers if we are to receive the "free gift" of His righteousness to cover us.
And, you tell me, "What Jesus promoted was succinct set of spiritual principals and a way of life based upon the of love, compassion, tolerance, and a strong belief in the importance in giving and of generosity to those in need."
Yes, Jesus taught all of these and we are told that these attributes are the "fruit of our salvation." These things, these "works" cannot give us salvation. No matter how many good works one does; he/she cannot earn salvation through his works. You CANNOT work enough to earn salvation, to earn entrance into heaven. However, He offers salvation as a "free gift" (Ephesians 2:8-9) to all who will believe and receive it (John 1:12).
And, when one has accepted His "free gift" of salvation -- those attributes you list should flow from us as the "fruit of our salvation."
Now, you tell me, "In short, he was the antithesis of everything you stand for, sir. You have no compassion, are intolerant of anything or anyone who disagrees with you, and you shun and berate those who are most in need of Jesus' love. You are an enemy of Christ."
Quite the contrary. Everything I expound comes from the Bible He gave me. By the way, He also gave the Bible to you. Wipe off the dust and take a look inside.
While I do have many sins and am not worthy of His love; thank God, I am a child of God -- and have the promise of Jesus Christ that I will spend eternity with Him in heaven. You can find that promise in John 6:47.
I may be the enemy of the Christ you worship; however, I am comfortable in the arms of the Jesus Christ of the Bible. And, if you want, there is room in His arms for you also. And, one day, I will stand before Him and have to give account of all my actions and all my words. But, even then, in spite of me -- I have no doubt that He will hug me and welcome me home -- for I am a Christ Follower.
Finally, you declare, "In fact, I can't think of anything that would label Him as a modern day conservative. Can you?"
Yep, I sure can. Maybe you should hit the RETURN TO TOP button and reread what I have written in this post. You see, Jesus will be the first to tell you that the Bible is the "inspired, inerrant, literal Written Word of God." That alone makes Him a great Conservative!
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill
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