Posted on 06/12/2003 8:44:09 PM PDT by Pan_Yans Wife
Christianity focused on the individual's relationship with G-d, as you said, but not on that exclusively. Judaism focuses on the nation's relationship with G-d and Jesus did nothing to reduce that.
The only thing that matters for our salvation is our personal faith, yet we use our personal faith to encourage the correct behavior of our nation because the blessing of the nation depends on the righteousness of the nation, not its individuals.
Christianity teaches us both the importance of personal righteousness and national righteousness. That's why the Christian who is rendering unto Caesar does as much as he can to keep Caesar righteous.
And that's why we fight perversion in our culture as well as in our hearts.
Shalom.
Actually it's not just an "opinion", and is not presented it as such, but in fact cites sound Biblical doctrine to support it's premise to make a theological point.
And I don't disagree with that point in general.
What I do disagree with is the confusing and almost contradictory language throughout the article...and most importantly the title that so easily lends itself to misinterpretation... seems designed to do so for the purpose of causing controversy..
I think it is juvenile.
Luke 9:24, "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it."
1 Corinthians 1:26-29, "For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence."
1 Corinthians 15:43, "It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:"
2 Corinthians 2:6-11, "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh."
2 Corinthians 12:9, "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
2 Corinthians 13:4, "For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you."
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