[seeker1950]

Hi, all,
I said I wouldn't post anything controversial here....
Well, here goes...
I love the writings of Paul...so human, encouraging, even while bound in chains and imprisoned. Any time I feel the need to return to my spiritual roots, I read Paul...except for the Book of Timothy...
This book reads in a different "rhythm" to me, and this is the book in which Paul puts women in their place. I do not believe this book was actually written by Paul, or, if so, was edited later on with these additions about women and slaves.
Many biblical scholars have agreed on this. I just avoid Timothy.
Your thoughts appreciated.
Patty

[(JD)]

That's ok, to avoid "Timothy," imo. First Timothy: this was the first letter of Paul to Timothy, encouraging him and training him about his service for Christ. It's mainly applicable to those who are leaders in the church,a manual for church organization and administration, thus so much of it may not apply to your life.

Second Timothy is written shortly before Paul's death, so it would have a different tone perhaps... not only for the circumstances, but that our writing and thoughts all change their tone as we age. "Practical Application: It is easy to get side-tracked in the Christian life. We have to keep our eyes on the prize – being rewarded in Heaven by Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 4:8). We must strive to avoid both false doctrine and ungodly practices. This can only be accomplished by being grounded in our knowledge of God’s Word and firm in our refusal to accept anything that is unbiblical."

How's that? ok?

[SeptemberMorn]

I'm with Paul when he said "I want to know nothing but Christ and him crucified." That's not verbatim, BTW.

Many of Paul's... what shall we call them... rules?... are more "cultural Christianity" than anything else. For example, those of us women who cut our hair, color it, use makeup and don't cover our heads when we go into a church, well, this isn't going to keep us out of Heaven.

It is my belief that the five Christian absolutes that I posted is what ensures my salvation. The rest is up to interpretation and/or how it speaks to each as individuals.

This is MY truth and I'm not implying that it should be anyone else's truth.

[kimmydawn]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
The rest is up to interpretation and/or how it speaks to each as individuals.

This is MY truth and I'm not implying that it should be anyone else's truth.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

This is my personal belief as well -- regarding both reading/understanding the Bible as well as convictions in living life.

I believe that my God might have a different road for me to travel than He does another, so I might be convicted in different ways and interpret the Bible in different ways.

It doesn't make either way absolutely right or wrong, just different. It doesn't make me appear to follow God's path better or worse, just different. It doesn't make my interpretation of Paul's instructions/writings better, worse or more clear...just possibly different in the understanding I might feel meant for me at the time.

For instance there are passages of the Bible that I interpret and apply as instruction one way in my life now, but the reading of it last year I might have felt led to apply in a different way to my life, thus giving me a different understanding, then instruction in accordance with the road meant to be traveled in the moment.

KD

[seeker1950]

Paul actually commended many women, to whom he entrusted important service, at the ending of many of his books.
I like to read Paul, think he is clear and offering much valuable guidance.
Patty

[(JD)]

Paul does write about women and their positions... but do remember what church he wrote what to...as many had difficulties with what was considered pagan practices being brought into the Christian church, out of ignorance, mostly being brought in by women.

[seeker1950]

Pagan practices by women...not aware of any of that, Sky.
I think Paul was writing first and foremost for the time after Christ. I think he was sincere and don't see any evidence of women as the culprits of pagan practices.
I know you are more scholarly and maybe you can cite such references.
Except for the books of Timothy, I find Paul a cool guy! I find his writing much more informative even than the quoted words of Christ. Some have actually referred to him as the founder of Christianity.
Patty

[(JD)]

There is much documentation of the Greek gods and practices during the time of the early church. Church history, even Roman history explains much of it. The Bible clearly tells of many of the problems within the individual churches, and even Revelation talks of each of the 7 churches and what He had issue with in them separately.

Pagan beliefs following the gods ...remember Paul even talked about the monument they constructed "To the Unknown God" just in case they had left one out: and he told them of The Almighty then.

The early Christians were mostly Jewish. But even that was not a pure belief at that time, they had already mixed many of the practices of idolatry and beliefs of the "gods" into their Jewish rituals. Paul set about educating them what was and was not appropriate Christian beliefs.