Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: timh@ide.com (Tim Hoogasian) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Let's end the silliness of "relative" sinfulness, shall we? Message-ID: Date: 13 Jul 90 09:02:38 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: IDE, San Francisco Lines: 75 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu >Is ongoing, heterosexual, premarital sex (fornication) any less sinful than >ongoing, homosexual sex? Is ongoing, heterosexual, extramarital sex (adultery) >any less sinful than ongoing, homosexual sex? I understand that at one time >each of these activities was considered evidence of a spiritual problem. Are >things really any different today? The whole discussion of which sin is more or less "sinful" than any other sin is a waste of our time and energies. To put it simply, to commit ANY sin constitutes the breaking of the WHOLE of the law, and hence disqualifies us (on our own merits) from attaining the Kingdom of Heaven. (But praise God for His indescribably merciful gift to us of His Son!) In other words: There *is* no sin that is any more or less "bad" than any other (with the notable exception of the sin of blasphemy). As Paul reminds us, ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. (And let's not forget that this man, whom we consider a saint, boldly claimed he was the chief of sinners!) There is no "degree" of "sinfulness" in sin. Sin is just that: Sin - our rebellion against God. No more, no less. If we attempt to water down what Scripture teaches us, we are "adding or subtracting" from the Word of God. Now, who among us is really so wise as to tell God that He doesn't really know what he's talking about, and why can't He be more "enlightened"? If we believe that the Bible is God's holy, inspired word, then what place have we to suggest that portions of it are "outdated?" Scripture is just as potent and relevant to today's world as it was when it was originally written. One of the biggest problems I see in the Church today is that it is attempting to make itself "palatable" to the world. We often avoid taking stands, and "making waves" for fear of what it will "cost" us. (Come on, people! We're not going to take anything from this life with us into His presence after all!) We push the Gospel of the love of Christ (which certainly should be stressed!) at the expense of stressing the Holiness and Justness of Almighty God! (Listen to a copy of John MacArthur's tape on God's Holiness, and I *GUARANTEE* you'll get convicted, no matter how righteous you think you've been lately...) God wants us to minister to the world, certainly! But He doesn't want for us to water down his commandments to make them "taste" better. If we softpedal God's Law, and the penalties for flaunting that Law, in favor of "Isn't Jesus so wonderful?" evangalism, we are not serving Christ - at least, not very well. Don't get me wrong. I'm not pushing "hellfire and brimstone" preaching. I'm not out to "condemn" anyone for their sins. (Hey, I've got enough of my own to be concerned about!) But I'm sure God is very distressed at the amount of time we spend playing games with "interpreting" Scripture. (The only people I see as all that qualified to discuss semantics of Greek and Hebrew are, naturally, Greek and Hebrew scholars - this counts me out, too.) There are very few portions of scripture that I've found in my studies to be much less than straightforward. Examine yourself. If you know you are short in some area, then don't try to make scripture fit your mold (rationalize). The Word won't bend to fit our whims - rather, we must conform to it. (And yes, I know that that is itself the sticky point.) Paul has issued us the challenge to run for the prize. What are we waiting for? Tim --- -- Tim | ARPA: timh@ide.com Hoogasian | UUCP: sun!ide!timh (415) 543-0900 =============================================================================== #define DISCLAIMER "Are you nuts? I don't represent anyone, let alone myself!"