Jefferson's Bible

LA Times ^ | 1-8-12 | Craig Ferhman

[elpadre]

thinking back to discussions and readings about Jefferson many years ago, my recollection is that the Jefferson Bible was essentially the New Testament with the miracles clipped out. He had a big time problem with miracles. The remainder included Jesus’ teachings, claims and promises. Jefferson was a believer with conditions.

[elpadre]

thinking back to discussions and readings about Jefferson many years ago, my recollection is that the Jefferson Bible was essentially the New Testament with the miracles clipped out. He had a big time problem with miracles. The remainder included Jesus’ teachings, claims and promises. Jefferson was a believer with conditions.

[zeugma]

If you are going to believe Jesus was the sacrificial Son of God, sent to die for your sins, what would be so difficult about a "virgin birth" or rising from the dead? If Jesus didn't rise from the dead, then how can I count on Him to save me? Can a man walk on water or can God walk on water, and even fly into the clouds? He is either God or not. I'm sure that was the conflict he had much of his life. It is what all of us at some point has to decide. If God can create the universe and humans, why could he not fix their sin and be family with Him?

God didn't leave us much wiggle room. By his own words, Jesus proclaimed he was "the light, the truth, and the way". Either Jesus was a raving lunatic, or He was who He said He was, God incarnate. If he wasn't the Messiah, his sacrifice was worthless, and his words, merely the ravings of a madman.

I know where I stand on the question, given the impact God has had on my life over the years.

[chuckles]

I agree with you about the Bible, but I was explaining what Jefferson thought. Jefferson used many Bible verses on his buildings and designs, but history has judged him harshly. I was just saying there are many people with many views and God can judge them, but we shouldn't. I can have an opinion, but cannot judge Jefferson's relationship with God. Some will say Obama is a Christian. I can spout dozens of Scriptures to the contrary, but history will judge as they judge and God will judge as He judges. I've heard it said that we believe as we are given light. I know many people that swear they are Christians, yet will argue to the death over evolution. They will say we have changed from what God created and have lived for billions of years even when Scriptures says the evening and the morning were the first day. Somehow God becomes the liar and they are the wiser. I'm just saying we may not agree with Jefferson, but he had his opinion and expressed it. I've never read where he disavowed God. he just didn't agree with what the Bible said.

We are about to vote into office a person that also disagrees with God and has added to His Word with unproven clap trap. Yet I get scourged for even bringing that up. Either Romney is a believer or not. My opinion is NOT, but many here would argue that he is a great Christian. There is much more to Christianity than not smoking and drinking milk. There are many churches today that are teaching that there was no virgin birth, no resurrection, and no blood sacrifice. I don't agree, but I don't attend church there. I have also met scorn for having anything to say about Joel Osteen. He will proudly say homosexuals will see the Kingdom of God as someone quotes a verse saying they won't. He has a church with tens of thousands, and I peck around on an internet blog. Jefferson was a Founder and president of the country and you and I are conversing on a blog about how they were wrong and we are right. We would probably accomplish more by looking at our own life. I just offer my understanding of Scripture, but try to withhold my opinion of someone's salvation. I can argue against sin, but am not allowed to judge souls. That right belongs to my Lord.

[SunkenCiv]

GGG managers are SunkenCiv, StayAt HomeMother & Ernest_at_the_Beach	join list or digest view topics view or post blog bookmark post a topic subscribe
Thanks afraidfortherepublic. P, this is the one I'd planned to ping you to, rather than the Charles Martel topic. I zigged when I should have zagged. Just adding to the catalog, not sending a general distribution. To all -- please ping me to other topics which are appropriate for the GGG list.

[Pharmboy]

No worry...Charles “The Hammer” is one of my favorite Frenchmen of all time. TJ was not one of my favorites among the Founders...