I am not trying to judge but when, presumably, sincere Christians start throwing up trial balloons that are sheer speculation then I wonder whether they really have studied the Bible, ever, especially when their comments are filled with "I think" and "I feel." Because to me they are not intellectually curious about our faith, they just want to hear themselves talk. They don't want to learn and they aren't looking to teach with their comments. They are also, in a sense, violating the Word of God with their speculation.
I am especially sensitive to this as I was raised Catholic and never cracked a Bible until I was 25 years old - just believed what the priests said. Once I became an evangelical Christian, I came to know the joy of studying the Word - a lifetime journey, to be sure. The Catholic church says that understanding the Bible is the duty of priests, and they'll tell you what you need to know. Bull honkey. I am studying it in a group every Sunday and every week I get goosebumps at what is revealed.
Christians should take heed of Acts 17:11, where the Paul cited the Bereans, who "searched the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so." This does not leave room for idle speculation. If someone says Jesus married, then search the Scriptures. It's that simple.
Another example: the NT says in many places that "Jesus loved" someone. If a woman, was it sexual? If a man, was it homosexual? Well, don't spend time reading posts on FR idly saying, "Sure, I think Jesus could've ..." GO READ THE BIBLE ITSELF. Open up a few commentaries and check those as well. Then, you can post on FR something like this: "I was stimulated enough by the post about what it meant when the Bible says 'Jesus loved' so I checked it out. There is no evidence that Jesus engaged in any sexual relationships." NOW you have made a contribution.
Also, in both the OT and NT Christians are cautioned, quite severely, against misleading other Christians. I frankly believe that threads like this one do just that. To wit:
* Romans 16:17-18: "Watch out for people who ... teach things that are contrary to what you have been taught. ... Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests..."
* Proverbs 30:6 "Do not add to his words, or he may rebuke you, and you will be found a liar."
* 2 Timothy 4:3 "A time will come when people will not listen to accurate teachings. Instead, they will follow their own desires and surround themselves with teachers who tell them what they want to hear."
That last citation should make every Christian pause who says, "I think" about Jesus.
To all Freepers who aren't in a detailed Bible study -- do it. Find a couple friends and meet for breakfast once a week, or join a Bible study at your church. Or, if a woman, join Community Bible Study (CBS) somewhere in your city; one equivalent for men is Bible Study Fellowship (BSF), which is nationwide.
Sorry but I am going to bow out of this conversation now.
I do not believe it is productive of truth, nor is it now assisting in the challenge of discernment.
It appears you assume people who do not hold to your beliefs or doctrines are either not reading the Bible or else have evil motives.
There are definitely such people, they seem to abound all around us at times these days.
But, it is unfair to assume that everybody who posts on FR falls into those two undesirable categories.
Some of us have prayerfully studied scripture and theology for years and years. This does not prove any one of us are correct on any single question. But, it does distinguish us from the types of people you complain of.
Now then,
the Bible does NOT tell us if Jesus was married or not.
So it is open to discussion.
Without repeating, there are several reasons to suggest that maybe he was married. But again, I do not know (and neither does anybody else). So, we discuss.
Note that some FR folks posted theological positions they believe in, and that they believe would be adversely impacted if Jesus were married. And, that we had some theological reasons to believe that those concerns would not have posed any significant difficulty to God (and that in some ways at least they would be in harmony with received teachings). Again, none of this proves his marital status one way or the other. I do not claim anything contrary to your reading of scripture, I was only asking a question consequent to the originally-posted article, is all.
I am out of this one, folks. It was fun. I hope all the other people here who participated will continue to do so, (and please everyone do not cast stones, it is at least as unfair to the caster as it is to the castee).
or something like that.
Thanks !
“The Catholic Church says that undersanding the Bible is the duty of priests.”
This is absolutely incorrect. The Catholic Church encourages bible study. If you never cracked a Bible until you were 25 years old as a Catholic you must have never been to mass because the entire mass is composed of the bible - especially the 1st and 2nd readings and the Gospel.
The canard that the Catholic Church discourages bible reading and bible study is simply not true.