Posted by hyperfocus on September 22, 2011, at 23:30:05
In reply to Re: Lou's request-pstairtie » Lou Pilder, posted by Dinah on September 16, 2011, at 8:33:00
> I see Jesus' criticisms directed at Jews who weren't being very good Jews. Who weren't living up to the ideals of their Jewish faith. I see Jesus as addressing us all, no matter what our faith, to be better people and to love and serve God with all our hearts. If he addressed Jews in particular, it was because those were his people, and because he loved his people and his God.
This is how I always interpreted the Old Testament and New Testament - I don't see how it can be interpreted differently. I don't see how the events described there can be characterized as indictments against any faith or people. It is the actions of the moneylenders in the temple, and others who were transgressing God's law, who were being hypocritical, which deserved reproach. Just as the actions of Egyptians and Babylonians and Philistines against Israelites brought reproach and judgment from God. I don't think the Old Testament is an indictment against all Egyptians or Caananites or Assyrians or Persians or any peoples, that must endure from ancient to modern-day times. But the logic of the assertion made in this thread about how all Christians presumably view Judaism is the same.
When God made a promise to Abraham that he would spare Sodom even if only a handful of good people were there it, seems he made one of the first of a series of promise that he would never judge a people by the actions of some or even the majority. It goes as far back as Noah and the covenant made with him to not destroy mankind, presumably as long as at least one righteous person existed. One of the major themes that runs through all the terrible bloody conflicts of the Old and New Testaments is that it is the actions of individuals which determine their righteousness in the eyes of God, not their membership in any faith or ethnicity. David was the most exalted king of the Israelites, raised up from a boy as God's own, but God still punished him severely when he committed evil acts. It would be a much, much better world if Christians and Jews and all people everywhere could be judged solely on their individual actions and beliefs. But it's clear we're very, very far from that ideal.
C-PTSD: social phobia, major depression, dissociation.
Currently: 300mg amitriptyline single dose at night.
Also: Allegra, 1000mg Vitamin C.
Improving.
poster:hyperfocus
thread:996797
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faith/20101230/msgs/997604.html