NowTHINK!AboutIt

Avoiding Hackneyed...Making Sense

Who’s The Terrorist God or Pharaoh

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Answering An Atheist

Original arguments are found in the post “Top Ten Worst Bible Stories”
On the web site “Not A Potted Plant” (NAPP)

In a previous post I began responding to an atheist’s (TL) criticisms of certain Bible stories and the first one focused on Jesus’ response to the Pharisees and Herodians when they queried him about Roman taxation. TL suggested Romans were the enemy and Jesus’ response was collaboration. You can read his arguments here and my response here.

Since atheists are not believers and usually judged as indifferent by those who are, some might wonder why I bother responding. It might seem like a waste of time.  But, the truth is, an atheist will often ask openly what believers only wonder about quietly. And these questions need to be explored.

It is only the fearful and insecure that react defensively and run.  So, we should be thankful the criticisms are made and diligent in our efforts to think through them.

The next criticism (number 2 on his list) involves God’s handling of the Egyptians during the Exodus, particularly in the matter of the Passover. You are probably familiar with the story.

At midnight on the evening of the Passover any family who failed to comply with the ceremony (evidenced by no blood on the door post) suffered the death of their firstborn child as well as the first born of all cattle.

Cattle were included because the bull was the Egyptian symbol of deity and owning cows was a symbol of status. In response, TL accuses God of terrorism. His words…

Terrorism is good if God says it is

In developing his argument he makes several observations some of which are misaligned with the facts and others just plain miscalculated. The arguments are: [Read more…] about Who’s The Terrorist God or Pharaoh

Jesus – Good Citizen or Collaborator

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Answering An Atheist

Original arguments are found in the post “Top Ten Worst Bible Stories”
On the web site “Not A Potted Plant” (NAPP)

I recently came across a blog post entitled “Top Ten Worst Bible Stories.” The blog goes by the name “Not A Potted Plant” (NAPP) which obviously says nothing about the author or the content but he does explain the reason for the title in the FAQ’s and a little additional perusing helps to fill in other gaps. He goes by the pen name of “Transplanted Lawyer” and I refer to him by the acronym LT.

From the profile you learn the author is a normal sort of guy and the content clearly indicates he is coherent, observant and thoughtful. He is an atheist and a bit glib on occasions but always fair. The fair part is what got my attention.

Any person can pick a side and be belligerent about it and there are many who do exactly that. They are completely intolerant toward and offer no fair discussion on points of difference. Fortunately, that description doesn’t fit LT. Unfortunately, that is particularly true of the “religious right” (RR1).

Actually, RR are my roots but honestly speaking, I have to admit that the most dominant characteristic of this political sector is the inability to carry on a fair discussion regarding any issue. They don’t talk nicely to each other and they don’t discuss issues with an open mind.

  • Taking the “half loaf” approach to negotiation doesn’t figure into their political or religious strategies.
  • The capacity to “agree to disagree” is dwarfed.
  • Building relationships around common issues in the hope of influencing change on others is not a skill they own.
  • If ideologies don’t match up to the letter, the differing parties are shunned or worse, run out of town, the modern day equivalent of burning at the stake. Thank God better minds have changed that trend.

It would be nice if the RR folks would just “take their ball and go home” but unfortunately that isn’t an option. Humanized religious chivalry requires a fight to the death, although they wouldn’t admit to the humanized part.

Anyway, back to the “Top Ten Worst Bible Stories” by LT.2 I’ve decided to answer a few of his observations. I chose him not because Bible critics are few but because he is articulate (unlike some atheists, he actually knows and uses words longer than “four” letters) and he spars the issue rather than the opponent.

I doubt I will change his mind on the issues or anyone else’s for that matter but debate, when healthy, fair and respectful, is always useful.

I’ll answer only one (or a few) issues at a time, not in his order and not necessarily in consecutive posts. Here goes. Hope you enjoy. [Read more…] about Jesus – Good Citizen or Collaborator

Jesus Did Strange Things – Taught Important Lessons

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Jesus Responds To Every Request
But Not The Way We Expect

And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David, my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.

Jesus often responded to people and circumstances in ways that surprise us. He didn’t follow popular thinking or preferred ideas. “Normal and Usual” never figured prominently in His methodology.

He was setting a new standard not validating an existing one and He never explained Himself. He said what He said, did what He did and expected us to figure it out.

For example:

  • To heal a leper, He touched him: Reckless.
  • In response to the “belief” of many in Jerusalem (John 2) . . . well, He was unresponsive: Disinterested.
  • When a lawyer plainly asked how to obtain eternal life He gave no direct answer: Evasive.
  • When a diseased person who no doubt had been shunned for many years touched Jesus from behind and was healed Jesus loudly insisted the person identify him or herself publicly: Insensitive.

Jesus seemed to overreact in some instances (the leper) but gave the appearance of being unmoved in others (believers in Jerusalem).

All of these responses are baffling and people ask for explanations frequently. On the surface, these things don’t seem to add up.

But, be sure about this. Jesus wasn’t deviating from His purpose. He came to help people, give solid instruction, be a good example, save souls and change lives and all of His responses, whatever they were, served these purposes. It is our responsibility to study each incident carefully and isolate principles we can also employ in our methods of ministry.

Walking away scratching your head or throwing your hands up in exasperation are not acceptable responses. [Read more…] about Jesus Did Strange Things – Taught Important Lessons