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From: ix415@sdcc6.UUCP (Rick Frey)
Newsgroups: net.religion
Subject: Re: reply to Micha Berger, about 'throwing stones'
Message-ID: <2075@sdcc6.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 15-May-85 03:56:20 EDT
Article-I.D.: sdcc6.2075
Posted: Wed May 15 03:56:20 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 17-May-85 05:36:13 EDT
Distribution: net
Organization: U.C. San Diego, Academic Computer Center
Lines: 63
Summary: Reply to David Harwood Concerning arguing, Jesus' actions and true religion.

In article <415@cvl.UUCP>, david@cvl.UUCP (David Harwood) writes:
> 	I wish these attacks against the Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses,
> and others would stop, even if I would disagree with them. This does no
> good; it will not 'save' them, neither will it save us. We should watch
> out for ourselves what we do in our everyday lives.

I disagree completely.  It is essentially necessary to point out various
flaws in the reasoning and assumptions of anything, religion included.
If instruction doesn't come through presentation of information then how
does it?  If I can show that the Jehovah's Witnesses have blatantly
mistranslated the original texts, why should I allow them to think that
their translation is a "more accurate" one?

> While Jesus acknowledged that the Jews were 'right' about religion

What?  Jesus said nothing of the sort.  He continually accused the Jews
(the Pharisees and Saducees mainly) of being hypocrites and sons of the
devil.  He said they were blind leading the blind. (John 8:44)

> 	So, which would you have -- that you would be 'right' about
> beliefs, nevertheless wrong against man, therefore against God -- or 
> would you be 'wrong' about beliefs, as was the despised Samaritan, who
> was nevertheless right with his fellow, as would be God.
> 	Jesus teaches that God accepts the man who does recognize and
> help his 'neighbor', even if he is mistaken in his theology.

That's what Jesus taught?  No way.  Christ clearly says in John 15:5, "I
am the vine, you are the branch; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he
bears much fruit; for APART FROM ME YOU CAN DO NOTHING."  Christ says in
John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth and the life.  No man comes to the
Father but by Me."  Not by good works and mistaken theology, but by the
atoning death of Jesus Christ.  Christ makes it perfectly clear in John
3:16, "For God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son
that whosoever should *BELIEVE* in Him should not perish but have
everlasting life."  Where do you see in this that what you believe is
not important?

> 	But as to the sacrifice I would make, I remember the sacrifice
> of the Samaritan above, who was merciful to his 'neighbor'. As it is written,
> 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.'

Paul makes it very clear what is to be sacrificed.  "For I beseach you
therefor brethren, by the mercies of God to present your bodies a living
and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God which is your spiritual service of
worship."  (Romans 12:1)

> 	Therefore, it is our hearts which are to be indeed the Seat of Mercy,
> of the One who is Merciful.
> 	As the Lord said, "The heavens are mine, and the Earth is my footstool
> -- all these things I have made are mine -- then, where shall you build my 
> temple?" And He answers, "I look upon the one who is humble and contrite in 
> spirit, and who trembles at my word." So there is the Temple of the Lord.

I couldn't agree more.  Paul says in I Corinthians 3:16, "Do you not
know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in
you?"  But you seem to think that means something different than what
the Bible teaches.  Christ very clearly did not teach a gospel of 'good
works' and he warned specifically (Mathew 7:22) that people would come
to Him at the end times and list off all of their good deeds.  Christ's
response is simple and to the point. "And I will declare to them I never
knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS."

			Rick Frey  (.. ihnp4!sdcsvax!sdcc6!ix415)