Are Christians called to public relations?

[cholland]

Pope Benedict: "My visit to Jordan gives me a welcome opportunity to speak of my deep respect for the Muslim community, and to pay tribute to the leadership shown by His Majesty the King in promoting a better understanding of the virtues proclaimed by Islam."

Is this respect for their sincerity in their beliefs or the beliefs themselves? Are we to find neutral ground in order to worship the same God? Or are we called to something higher in which the gospel is supreme and expect ridicule, accusations of hate, and separation from the world?

[cnorman18]

LOL! Sure, but you wouldn't agree with my interpretations, and I don't intend to debate them. That would be because I don't think I NEED Scripture quotations to back up what I think. God didn't just give me a Bible - He also gave me a functioning brain.

Tell that to Tom Cruise.

Care to explain that uncivil and unproductive one-liner?

Do you think that every human thought must be justified by a proof-text?

I think my answers are clear, if implicit. I don't think Christians are called to judgmentalism, arrogance, self-righteousness, or confrontation with other faiths.

I think Christians are called to love their neighbors as they love themselves. You know - feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick and imprisoned, comfort the grieving, and like that.

Do all that and keep your mouth shut about personal moral judgments and people's eternal fate, and they'll follow you around asking why you do it and what makes you tick. Do nothing but preach, and people will avoid you and avoid anything that reminds them of you.

I speak as a former Christian. As a Jew, I would say that it's for Christians to decide to what they are called; but that would have been my take.

I think Jesus and other prophets taught about half of what you said. I think you're missing the part where he doesn't "love" the Pharisees and other Jews who thought possession of the Torah made them God's people.

Really? And where, exactly, does he say all that in those words (as opposed to "interpreting" them into his mouth)?

It would appear that all you have to say in response to my remarks is (1) dogmatism and (2) more dogmatism.

Thanks; I guess we're done.

ETA: It occurs to me to ask - would your last remark be a comment directed at me, personally, as a Jew?

Be very careful about telling me what I should believe.

[Jonah]

cholland,

You insult with no understanding revealed about Pharisees and other Jews. Do tell. Who were the other Jews? What do you know of them? ....

...any of them? If you really imagine that Torah is something to be possessed like Fort Knox. Did any of the Jews' enemies care that there was a Torah...like they could rip that off and cash it in for more crucifixion lumber and wine for Pilate's bar?

Actually, Torah is something that you do. And it doesn't win a Jew many prizes outside the Tribe.

While the New Testament has self-serving false polemic in it, there are some adults today who are smart enough and moral enough to work around it. It's a choice thing...and it takes a two-way street. You be on the proverbial one-way street. Where it goes...I dunno...and I don't care.

[cholland]

Care to explain that uncivil and unproductive one-liner?

Do you think that every human thought must be justified by a proof-text?

You're right. I'm sorry. I meant to say that a human functioning brain is nothing to God's revealed word. So yes, every thought must be justified by God's word. I'm not looking for a "proof-text" as in you pulling something out to prove your point while disregarding the rest of Scripture.

Really? And where, exactly, does he say all that in those words (as opposed to "interpreting" them into his mouth)?

It would appear that all you have to say in response to my remarks is (1) dogmatism and (2) more dogmatism.

Thanks; I guess we're done.

ETA: It occurs to me to ask - would your last remark be a comment directed at me, personally, as a Jew?

Be very careful about telling me what I should believe.

Which part? The loving the Pharisees or the possession of Torah? And from whom? Jesus or the prophets?

As far as you personally, I think we need to get back to the question at hand. Are Christians called to public relations?

[cholland]

cholland,

You insult with no understanding revealed about Pharisees and other Jews. Do tell. Who were the other Jews? What do you know of them? ....

...any of them? If you really imagine that Torah is something to be possessed like Fort Knox. Did any of the Jews' enemies care that there was a Torah...like they could rip that off and cash it in for more crucifixion lumber and wine for Pilate's bar?

Actually, Torah is something that you do. And it doesn't win a Jew many prizes outside the Tribe.

While the New Testament has self-serving false polemic in it, there are some adults today who are smart enough and moral enough to work around it. It's a choice thing...and it takes a two-way street. You be on the proverbial one-way street. Where it goes...I dunno...and I don't care.

I know what Torah is. I don't think we're here to call into question my knowledge of God's people.

[bernee51]

... Are Christians called to public relations?

How is 'speaking of a deep respect for the Muslim community' and paying tribute to a head of state an exercise in 'public relations'?

Do you think it is? If so why so?

[cholland]

delete

[cnorman18]

...a human functioning brain is nothing to God's revealed word. So yes, every thought must be justified by God's word....

That's a pretty good working definition of "dogmatism." Independent, rational human thought is "nothing," and the only permissible thoughts are those endorsed and ratified by the denomination's particular interpretation of Scripture.

...would your last remark be a comment directed at me, personally, as a Jew?

....As far as you personally, I think we need to get back to the question at hand. Are Christians called to public relations?

Let the record show that you refused to answer the question.

One more note; if by "God's people" you mean the Jews, yes, indeed, I'll question your knowledge of us if and as I care to.

[cholland]

Let the record show that you refused to answer the question.

One more note; if by "God's people" you mean the Jews, yes, indeed, I'll question your knowledge of us if and as I care to.

It was a denunciation of the Pharisees and Jews who thought possession of Torah was going to save them. I don't know if you fall into that category. So no, it was not a personal attack on you.

What knowledge did you want to question me on? Because I can't give you a discourse of a people group who have been in existence for thousands of years.

[cnorman18]

Let the record show that you refused to answer the question.

One more note; if by "God's people" you mean the Jews, yes, indeed, I'll question your knowledge of us if and as I care to.

It was a denunciation of the Pharisees and Jews who thought possession of Torah was going to save them. I don't know if you fall into that category. So no, it was not a personal attack on you.

What knowledge did you want to question me on? Because I can't give you a discourse of a people group who have been in existence for thousands of years.

Let's start with the existence of "Pharisees and Jews who thought possession of Torah was going to save them."

Do you even know what a Pharisee actually was? Do you understand that Jesus was primarily a Pharisee himself?

[Jonah]

cholland,

Despite whatever you imagine Torah is (does it include pink flying monkeys?), a chunk of it has to do with the Jew justly treating non-Jews.

I shall have to consult with my rabbi if that includes the internet. I'm taking notes for Yom Kippur.