On Sat, 15 Jan 2005 17:32:38 -0600, Mark A. Foster <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Hi, Gilberto,
Mark: > >>>>I prefer not to construct such broad (macro) definitions. In my > >>>>experience, they are rarely productive, and they tend to dilute the > >>>>various concepts pointed to by the words.<< Gilberto: > >>If that were the case, your objection should be that comparing the > >>religions doesn't make sense. Not that I'm wrong. And if the above is the > >>case, you can't say that both Islam and Christianity assesrt the finality > >>of prophethood.<< Mark: > My objection *is* that comparing religions, unless justified by the data, > does not make much sense. Gilberto: I understand and respect where you are coming from even if I might not agree. Mark: > >>>>To Paul, all Christians can be prophets and prophesy.<<<< > You replied: > >>(many Christians, but not necessarily all)<< > > However, he apparently believed that *all* Christians could be prophets. 1 Corinthians 12 [7] To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. [8] To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, [9] to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, [10] to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. [11] All these are inspired by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. 12] For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. [13] For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body -- Jews or Greeks, slaves or free -- and all were made to drink of one Spirit. [14] For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15] If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. [16] And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. [17] If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? [18] But as it is, God arranged the organs in the body, each one of them, as he chose. [19] If all were a single organ, where would the body be? [20] As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. [28] And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, then healers, helpers, administrators, speakers in various kinds of tongues. [29] Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? [30] Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? [31] But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way. [..] Gilberto: > >>After all, the Bible doesn't clearly say that no further prophets are > >>coming. In fact, it definitely says that more prophets will be coming.<< Mark: > Where does Paul say that more "prophets will be coming"? In the course of this discussion I've given several different examples. (On multiple occasions) Please just look them up. > >>From a Muslim perspective, when Bob comes around, the above would be less > >>likely to happen because the religion clearly says that Muhammad was the > >>last prophet and messenger and no more are coming.<< Mark: > Have you looked at those URLs I posted about the finality and exclusivity of > Christ? Gilberto: Yes. They were talking about exclusivity and didn't really address the kind of finality I've been talking about. (Remember one doesn't imply the other). Have you looked at what I posted on Christian prophets (that was in the subject) . I also understand that there are variations of belief among communities calling themselves Muslim and Christian. So ultimately this is about general trends and whatever one says, one could probably find exceptions. Gilberto: > >>Incidentally, I've been noticing that in the course of these discussions, > >>when you and others have been editing, you've tended to break the flow of > >>the discussion.<< Mark: > One of the policies of this list, as Susan and I developed them, is that only > as much should be quoted to make the response understandable. I try to strike > a balance between too much and too little quoting. I don't know if I always > succeed. > Gilberto: Alot of the time I've noticed both you and Susan leave a comment of mine refering to some bit of text and the text itself is gone. For example, the exchange below was about Paul but no one could tell that just by looking at your letter.. Gilberto: > >>No, I don't think he was a messenger. But I think for Christians he was a > >>person who apparently never met Jesus in the flesh, but appeared after him, > >>and received inspiration from God, which he wrote down to pass on to future > >>generations.<< > Mark: > Some Protestants see him as a great deal more. > Gilberto: Yes, I know that. You asked me if I saw him as a messenger. And I gave you my opinion. But what we were talking about what Christians believe about Paul. And I agree with you. Christians see Paul as a great deal more than what I described. And that would tend to support my point. Christianity is more open to the possibility of people after Jesus coming with revelation. Peace Gilberto "My people are hydroponic" __________________________________________________ You are subscribed to Baha'i Studies as: mailto:[email protected] To unsubscribe, send a blank email to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, use subscribe bahai-st in the message body to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Baha'i Studies is available through the following: Mail - mailto:[email protected] Web - http://list.jccc.edu/read/?forum=bahai-st News - news://list.jccc.edu/bahai-st Public - http://www.escribe.com/religion/bahaist Old Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] New Public - http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]
