*Note subject change Subject was "Jesus as King" and now is "Paradigms concerning the law"
John wrote: >> ... since we are not under law, the qualifiying statements >> found in I Tim 3 are suggestions -- not legal requirements. Izzy wrote: > Why not just let God's "kingdom" rule, instead of JD's? > This seems to be the crux of our disagreements-not just > between us but between the liberals and the conservatives, > so to speak. I do think you are hitting on something here, Izzy. The "Churches of Christ" movement are among the biggest proponents of this dispensational perspective that John has concerning us no longer being under law. I think some of this still effects his mindset in our discussions here. Have you noticed how they often interpret our theology as something that WE WANT? They think we want few to be saved, or that we are eager for people to perish in hell fire and damnation. They cannot read us without having this baggage cloud their view, no matter how many times we correct their misunderstanding. Apparently there is a different working paradigm at play here, one in which some of us approach theology with the mindset of what God wants regardless of whether or not it would be bad news for us, but others approach theology with the idea of what they want to be the outcome. Now add to this the idea that there is no more law, no more legal requirements, but only guidelines. Once we accept that, then nobody is condemned if they only once get drunk, or only once fornicate, or only once commit adultery, or only once divorce, or only once covet, or only once steal, or only once lie, etc. I have no problem with the concept of mercy and grace being extended to those who have fallen short in these areas, but to say that the commandments of Christ are only guidelines that do not need to be strictly followed means to me that grace and mercy is not really grace and mercy because there is no longer any law. If there is no longer any law, then nobody is condemned by anything they do. In such a world, everyone could live lawless lives and it does not really matter because nobody of guilty of anything no matter what they do. No repentance necessary. Sin does not really exist in any tangible form because there is no longer any law. Isn't this the end of their conversation? Peace be with you. David Miller. ---------- "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org If you do not want to receive posts from this list, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and you will be unsubscribed. If you have a friend who wants to join, tell him to send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and he will be subscribed.
