Sounds just about right for the churches I know about. Most of the preachers and priests know nothing about the Bible. The majority of what they teach is just as off kilter as this is. But, you know, people choose to believe it anyway without checking it out for themselves.
By the way, I do believe the Bible, just not the majority of what the churches teach.
Actually, that the ELDER who’s talking, I believe. You know, like most of the folks on the internet who THINK they know something about Christianity and spout off without careful study.
I know where I go to church our Pastor stays with the Bible and brings up example. Where midway through Mark. Then our Pastor plan to have another study out of the Bible.
Hey now if you know how to spell Christianity then you know something about it. Lot’s of people know something about Christianity. It is doubtful that anyone knows everything about it, or that everything people know about it is correct.
I get that Delilah cut hair, but a call-in radio show for lovers?
Most of the ministers I know have been to seminary and know the Bible well. They bring additional knowledge regarding the translation of original Hebrew, Greek, etc. and of historical perspectives that the average person hasn’t studied.
Yes, most of the priests I know do know quite a bit about the Bible. Most of the local pastors are good too–but sometimes I wonder about the local Christian radio station hosts–a couple of them are not so knowledgeable. One of them was talking about the Book of Acts recently and denied that Paul made it to Rome, and denied that Luke intended to have him get there, since it “wasn’t the ends of the Earth.”
And, in fact, he did get there, spent two years ministering from captivity (house arrest), and the fact that Luke calls it “the end of the Earth” is Luke’s way of pointing out that, however important it might have been politically, it wasn’t what mattered spiritually.
@Mr. Doty, it is not so that Paul and Luke were the first believers at Rome.
Paul wrote the Letter to the Romans to the believers there so that, when he came, they might accept him and his Gospel. He mentions that there are already “beloved of God” in Rome, whose “faith is heralded throughout the world” (1:7-8), he says that he is only passing through, but staying long enough to be refreshed by their faith (15:22-24) because he does not like to “build on another’s foundation” (15:20).
He also speaks of having finished proclaiming the Gospel from Jerusalem to Illyricum–that is, the areas of Anatolia and Greece (15:19) and is not going to Jerusalem with a contribution for the poor (15:25-29), which agrees with the Book of Acts, that he only got there after long labors throughout the Greek areas, even if Acts has a slightly different story of how his arrival actually happened. (Man proposes, God disposes…)
However, Acts 18:1-2 speaks of meeting Priscilla and Aquila in Corinth because they had left Italy when Claudius (the Emperor) had ordered all the Jews (including Christan Jews) to leave Rome. The implication is that (1) the Christian-Pharisee disputes were causing trouble in Rome, and (2) Priscilla and Aquila left Rome for this reason. Either one of these is sufficient for showing that there were Christians in Rome long before Paul showed up. No actual literal proof from Acts, perhaps–but it does support Paul’s own writing in Romans.
God only talks to SOME people. The rest of us are kept in blissful ignorance. Man has many ways of treating people who hear God talk. Medication, four point restraints, therapy,intervention are the main ones used. Modern medicine had not progressed so far in the days of Joan of Arc, so other methods were used. Sometimes the man who hears God is exiled, Take Jim Jones for example. Other times they start new religions in LA, Charlie Manson comes to mind. Remember, anyone who tells you God speaks to him probably has a plan for you. Comforting.
I usually don’t like discussing religion because of all of the different interpretations. But I thought that as Christians it is our duty to help those who do not understand and those who are attempting to understand.
Maybe it is not that some of the folk grew up attending the type of church depicted in this strip but instead never was taught what going to church really meant. Some also never went to church enough as children to continue with that practice. Alas it comes down to ignorance in the true definition of the word. But as a Christian, my ignorance, if I show it, does not make the other person wrong. That will only confuse one who does not understand even more so.
Getting angry with those who do not understand is NOT the solution to the problem. And though I do not profess to know nearly all of the Bible, I would think that it does not state to do so anywhere in the Bible. I would be surprised if I am wrong on that part.
See, I told you I really did not want to go off on this subject.
Yes, Mr. Doty, and just as you believe our doctrines are in error, we also believe you have some misinterpretations of the Scriptures and what God intends by them.
Unless our various communities show the difference before them, I suppose we will have to wait for God to tell us which of us was more nearly correct.
By the why, I don’t suppose that many people suspected that I was speaking for you or affecting your beliefs, considering the nature of our discussions.
flong2934 over 14 years ago
Sounds just about right for the churches I know about. Most of the preachers and priests know nothing about the Bible. The majority of what they teach is just as off kilter as this is. But, you know, people choose to believe it anyway without checking it out for themselves.
By the way, I do believe the Bible, just not the majority of what the churches teach.
freeholder1 over 14 years ago
Actually, that the ELDER who’s talking, I believe. You know, like most of the folks on the internet who THINK they know something about Christianity and spout off without careful study.
kab2rb over 14 years ago
I know where I go to church our Pastor stays with the Bible and brings up example. Where midway through Mark. Then our Pastor plan to have another study out of the Bible.
Ooops! Premium Member over 14 years ago
Hey now if you know how to spell Christianity then you know something about it. Lot’s of people know something about Christianity. It is doubtful that anyone knows everything about it, or that everything people know about it is correct.
(tuneless whistling)
marvee over 14 years ago
I get that Delilah cut hair, but a call-in radio show for lovers?
Most of the ministers I know have been to seminary and know the Bible well. They bring additional knowledge regarding the translation of original Hebrew, Greek, etc. and of historical perspectives that the average person hasn’t studied.
bmonk over 14 years ago
Yes, most of the priests I know do know quite a bit about the Bible. Most of the local pastors are good too–but sometimes I wonder about the local Christian radio station hosts–a couple of them are not so knowledgeable. One of them was talking about the Book of Acts recently and denied that Paul made it to Rome, and denied that Luke intended to have him get there, since it “wasn’t the ends of the Earth.”
And, in fact, he did get there, spent two years ministering from captivity (house arrest), and the fact that Luke calls it “the end of the Earth” is Luke’s way of pointing out that, however important it might have been politically, it wasn’t what mattered spiritually.
trekkermint over 14 years ago
Delilah is a radio show - my laundromat plays it as background music
Ooops! Premium Member over 14 years ago
A person is getting along the road to wisdom when they begin to realize that their opinion is just another opinion.
bmonk over 14 years ago
@Mr. Doty, it is not so that Paul and Luke were the first believers at Rome.
Paul wrote the Letter to the Romans to the believers there so that, when he came, they might accept him and his Gospel. He mentions that there are already “beloved of God” in Rome, whose “faith is heralded throughout the world” (1:7-8), he says that he is only passing through, but staying long enough to be refreshed by their faith (15:22-24) because he does not like to “build on another’s foundation” (15:20).
He also speaks of having finished proclaiming the Gospel from Jerusalem to Illyricum–that is, the areas of Anatolia and Greece (15:19) and is not going to Jerusalem with a contribution for the poor (15:25-29), which agrees with the Book of Acts, that he only got there after long labors throughout the Greek areas, even if Acts has a slightly different story of how his arrival actually happened. (Man proposes, God disposes…)
However, Acts 18:1-2 speaks of meeting Priscilla and Aquila in Corinth because they had left Italy when Claudius (the Emperor) had ordered all the Jews (including Christan Jews) to leave Rome. The implication is that (1) the Christian-Pharisee disputes were causing trouble in Rome, and (2) Priscilla and Aquila left Rome for this reason. Either one of these is sufficient for showing that there were Christians in Rome long before Paul showed up. No actual literal proof from Acts, perhaps–but it does support Paul’s own writing in Romans.
Ooops! Premium Member over 14 years ago
The Bible is depressing.
Smiley Rmom over 14 years ago
ghostkeeper - You might enjoy reading Joe Kovacs’ book, “Shocked by the Bible”. http://www.shockedbythebible.com/
Ooops! Premium Member over 14 years ago
A person is getting along the road to wisdom when they begin to realize that their opinion is just another opinion.
My opinion is:
The Bible is depressing.
My opinion is not wrong, it is my opinion. Somebody else may have a different opinion and their opinion is not wrong either.
Ooops! Premium Member over 14 years ago
Joe if you can read the Bible and find nothing that makes you feel sadness or grief ………..
You are entitled to your opinion. Please do not try to deny me mine.
lewisbower over 14 years ago
God only talks to SOME people. The rest of us are kept in blissful ignorance. Man has many ways of treating people who hear God talk. Medication, four point restraints, therapy,intervention are the main ones used. Modern medicine had not progressed so far in the days of Joan of Arc, so other methods were used. Sometimes the man who hears God is exiled, Take Jim Jones for example. Other times they start new religions in LA, Charlie Manson comes to mind. Remember, anyone who tells you God speaks to him probably has a plan for you. Comforting.
COWBOY7 over 14 years ago
I usually don’t like discussing religion because of all of the different interpretations. But I thought that as Christians it is our duty to help those who do not understand and those who are attempting to understand.
Maybe it is not that some of the folk grew up attending the type of church depicted in this strip but instead never was taught what going to church really meant. Some also never went to church enough as children to continue with that practice. Alas it comes down to ignorance in the true definition of the word. But as a Christian, my ignorance, if I show it, does not make the other person wrong. That will only confuse one who does not understand even more so. Getting angry with those who do not understand is NOT the solution to the problem. And though I do not profess to know nearly all of the Bible, I would think that it does not state to do so anywhere in the Bible. I would be surprised if I am wrong on that part.
See, I told you I really did not want to go off on this subject.
Peace and Love to All!
lewisbower over 14 years ago
How many of us have a Doctor of Divinity from Yale? Would everyone else sit down please. OK Reverend Doctor, please tell us your OPINION.
After a learned opinion, we will hear from the peanut gallery.
Ooops! Premium Member over 14 years ago
As you judge others, you shall be judged. (paraphrased, After all not having a lot of knowledge, nothing I say matters anyway.)
bmonk over 14 years ago
Yes, Mr. Doty, and just as you believe our doctrines are in error, we also believe you have some misinterpretations of the Scriptures and what God intends by them.
Unless our various communities show the difference before them, I suppose we will have to wait for God to tell us which of us was more nearly correct.
By the why, I don’t suppose that many people suspected that I was speaking for you or affecting your beliefs, considering the nature of our discussions.