Comments | graber_89: Life Worship Journal: Body

graber_89

Life Worship Journal: Body

Oct 03, 2008 23:39

October 3, 2008

My awareness of worship today has to do with my body again. I'm still feeling a bit sick, but was at least able to make it to the dining hall for lunch. As I ate my bland bread and rice, being cautious of what might upset my stomach, I remembered Deuteronomy 8:3, "man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the ( Read more... )

bread, psalm 63, word of god, body, food, life worship journal

Comments 4

cool_the_cow October 5 2008, 17:50:34 UTC

I was in a Christian bookstore the other day and as I looked over the massive wall of Bibles, all different versions, I began to wonder something. First, there are the study Bibles. They tend to have a bent, e.g. Women's Study, Defender's Study, Teenager, etc. The Bible warns twice to not add anything or take anything away from the Word of God so how does he feel about those?
Second, we've taken God's Word and put it in flashy, pretty packaging, or solemn spiritual packaging (depending on who we want to buy it) and we cram bookshelves full of them, if we're honest with ourselves, not so that more people will read the Bible, but so that we can make money. The publisher's print new versions so that even if you already own one of their Bibles you will still have to/want to buy another one.
I just wonder what God thinks of us using His Word for financial gain, or entertainment? (Which is really what we're going for when we buy/sell the flashy study Bibles updated yearly with new content.)

Study Bibles aarons_uncle October 6 2008, 05:04:30 UTC

Since the early translators of the Bible into English, the intent was that the common plowboy could have it in his own language and be able to study it for himself. But rather than a theme it would have been the intention that he would let it speak for itself, on all themes as the Holy Spirit would need to instruct the individual. Reasoning that puting study notes in the same volume as the text of the Bible is in any way "adding to the word of God" would be to condemn our listening to all preachers, and spending money to come by other's "wisdom" would be to reject the concept of Bible Schools, seminars, or paying a preacher ( ... )

Re: Study Bibles cool_the_cow October 6 2008, 18:14:43 UTC

Really, your reasoning for allowing publishers to produce bibles for profit doesn't work. You've described a non-profit organization, but these are very wealthy corporations. They are not merely covering the cost of getting the word out, they are using it to make a living, and no doubt a very, very comfortable one.
As for the other things that you say, I don't believe in them. I've quit attending church because nearly everything in it has been brought in from outside religions and practices (See: Pagan Christianity by George Barna and Frank Viola.) You're right, we shouldn't be paying pastors or supporting church buildings. We should meet in houses rather than spend the tens of thousands of dollars a year upkeeping a building that we spend a few hours a week in. In fact, even the tithe you mention is unscriptural.

Re: Study Bibles aarons_uncle October 7 2008, 04:20:55 UTC

I don't think I was describing a non-profit organization. I am describing any activity that anyone does "for a living". And that includes every "pastor" or "missionary", and every labourer. Profit is not a dirty word. (In a capitalistic society.) Jesus' parables extolled the dilligent workers who could turn a profit. What is condemned is what that profit is used for if it is for worldly gain and earthly treasures. Everything must change. (Brian McLaren). So how are you "making a living" and by what standard do we answer the question as to whether or not is is a very "comfortable one"? Compared to the homeless in our own cities, or third world poverty if we have more than one outfit to wear or one meal a day, should we feel guilty ( ... )