Posted on 08/01/2015 6:22:22 PM PDT by SoFloFreeper
The unbelieving social hue and cry that oh, it’s Christians who are doing the most evil things, is scarcely anything new.
At core, they cannot believe there really is a God that can seriously impart holiness. “Awwww that’s impossible! People gotta sin like fish gotta swim!”
Idol worshipers had nothing against being queer.. or lying for that matter..
or pedophilia or bestiality.. multiple spouses or slavery..
They were degenerate..
As a word of caution, all humans are degenerate, coming off the original sin. The only question is about how obvious it is. In our modern First World churches we tend to easily accept superficial morality (for sake of ego or for men’s praise) as of equal worth to a fundamental regeneration by Christ.
More blatant sinners might actually be easier to reach with the gospel than those who sin in smoothness.
From the Ancient Epitome of Canon XVI of the Council of Ancyra
“If any one twenty years of age shall defile himself with a beast, or shall commit sodomy let him fast fifteen years; and if he have a wife and be forty years of age, and shall do such a deed let him abstain now and fast all the rest of his life, neither shall he presume until he is dying to receive the Lord’s body. Youths and fools who shall do any such fixing shall be soundly trounced.”
Philip Schaff, The Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers Second Series Vol. XIV, The Seven Ecumenical Councils., 70 (Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, 1997).
And from a quick internet search, I see someone has already done some of the work (note that this web author is trying to make room for homosexual behavior — something to take into account when evaluating his editorializing):
B: Roman Catholic Official and Semi-Official Church Documents on Homosexuality (Chronological)
The texts of many of the decrees of early councils that might relate to homosexuality are translated and printed in Derrick S. Bailey, Homosexuality and the Western Christian Tradition, (London: Longmans, Green, 1955; repr. Hamden, Ct.: Archon/Shoestring Press, 1975)
Council of Elvira, canon 71 305-306 [vs “corrupters of boys”]
This was first council to address sexuality in a major way. C. 71 is not about “homosexuals”, but about clergy who “corrupt boys”.
Council of Ancyra, canon 17, 314
Provided the basic canon law of middle ages on sodomy, but according to Derek S. Bailey, Homosexuality in the Western Christian Tradition, 86-88, the canon in fact referred only to bestiality. Texts of these canons and other ones to 1179 quoted in full in Bailey.
Basil of Nyssa, First Canonical Epistle to Amphilochus of Iconium, (Epist. 117, canon 62), 375
This is the canon most often cited by the Orthodox. It was a private letter by Basil, but later approved by councils
Gregory of Nyssa, Canonical Letter to Letoius of Mytilene (Epist. canonica 4), 390
Justinian, Novella 77, CJC, (used as canon law) 538
This and the following “Novel”, enacted oppression of homosexual sex into secular law. At this stage the imperial secualr law of the Christian Roman Empire was also operative within the Church. The revival of Roman law studies in the 12th century meant that these laws had important effects on developing Roman Catholic canon law as well as secular law.
Justinian, Novella 141, CJC, (used as canon law) 544
2nd Council of Tours, c. 14, 567:
Monks must not sleep two to a bed.
“Fasting” was the best they knew how to deal with such situations at the time. Which sounds unfortunate because the biblical witness speaks directly of cleansing and regeneration. You can’t bottle the work of the Holy Spirit up in any rigid rule.
Being unable to address such things in a godly way set up the scene for problems later.
This is not in contrast to, or in competition with, "cleansing and regeneration." Why would youthink so?
Early Christians were eager to differentiate themselves from the Romans and chose a more temperate lifestyle. They did not need to marry their horse, or have anal sex with a prepubescent boy.
There is plenty of medical evidence to show that fasting is in fact cleansing for the body...there is at least as much spiritual evidence from the writings of the saints that fasting is cleansing for the sould and a tool for regeneration and Theosis.
Good point.
That point seems lost on many who otherwise “Bible-beleiving” Christians, along with John 6:53-55.
When they have to set in code that it needs N years, that is different from a set of spiritual guidelines that can move as fast or slow as the case calls for.
And therefore we have begun to glorify man over God. God always honors principles, but rigid rules were an Old Testament thing, in the process of teaching Israel what the heart of the Lord was. They could only roughly prefigure what was to come at the Cross.
And what do you when the demon is gone... if you are godly you can recognize that, if you are leaning on rigid rules you can’t!
And how do you know you’re godly?
So everyone is excused from trying?
“When they have to set in code that it needs N years, that is different from a set of spiritual guidelines that can move as fast or slow as the case calls for.”
The case where “any one twenty years of age shall defile himself with a beast, or shall commit sodomy...” fasting fifteen years.” Period. The case calls for 15 years. The next case calls for no Communion till death bed. Period. No hedging.
Don’t try to taylor the sentance. Just serve it and be thankful for God’s mercy.
Did you ever hear that John the baptist drank wine? He served out God’s call to not drink any strong drink decreed even before he was born.
Christianity is not for wimps.
OK, now I'm confused.(Hits side of head gently with ladylike fist.) Not sure what you're referring to here. What takes N years?
Once again: what?
The term "rigid" seems derogatory, as in:
Seems to me that Christ was at time more "rigid" than the OT. For instance:
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