Update II: Mark Tapscott:
It is true that the Church has grown most intensely from ground watered with the blood of martyrs, especially during the Roman persecutions and during the Reformation, as detailed in John Foxe’s classic “Book of Martyrs.”
Bloggers like Malkin and Barber have been all over this story, but President Bush said nothing about Rahman during his news conference this morning. But then none of the mainstream media reporters there asked him about it, either.
Update (3/21): Call the White House at 202-456-1111.
Brian Mattson has put together a petition. Michelle Malkin has more info here and here.
Prior to the Reformation, popes and kings interpreted the Bible for their predominantly illiterate followers, and they misused that power to drum up sectarian and ethnic wars. The Reformation brought Christianity closer to its founding text, and the printing press spread literacy. The Bible and especially the New Testament isn’t militaristic universally across time—in fact, it’s often argued (incorrectly) that the New Testament is pacifist. Christ Himself never wielded a sword against anyone, and did heal a man that one of His own followers wounded—and this, the night before His crucifixion. The New Testament is neither militaristic nor pacifist; one of the first Gentile converts was a soldier in the Roman army and he was not commanded to quit his job. The plain text recognizes the occassional need for military force, but never ever preaches conversion by the sword.
A good grasp on what the Bible actually teaches is a blessing in and of itself. Read the whole post.
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A former Muslim’s family turned him in for becoming a Christian, and now he faces the death penalty unless he denies Christ. From the Herald Sun:
Islamic sharia law proposes the death sentence for Muslims who abandon the religion. Afghanistan’s new constitution says “no law can be contrary to the sacred religion of Islam.”
…
He would be charged with abandoning Islam, Mr Mawlavizada said.“The prosecutor says he should be executed on the basis of the constitution,” Mr Mawlavizada said, who added that Mr Rahman could come back to Islam…”If he does not … he will be punished,” he said.
Over the past 2,000 years, millions of Christ followers have been killed, and Abdul Rahman will likely be added to the list. Before Christ returns, countless others will be martyred. Unlike Islam, Christianity doesn’t require its adherents to kill those who renounce the faith. While believers are permitted to fight in wars and defend themselves, we are not permitted to murder for any reason.
Beginning in Acts 6, we read about a man called Stephen, considered the first martyr in Christendom. After Christ was murdered, his disciples continued to preach and teach, and the number of believers grew. Acts is also where we read about the formation and expansion of the Christian church.
The unbelieving Jews of the Sanhedrin arrested Stephen for blasphemy. Knowing he would be found guilty and sentenced to death, Stephen gave a rousing speech (in Acts 7) about Israel’s deliverance from physical slavery in Egypt, a sign pointing to deliverance from spiritual slavery through the Messiah. Just as their forefathers doubted Moses, many Jews also doubted Jesus. But others believed.
As he was being stoned, Stephen was recorded to have said, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” He asked God to forgive his murderers. One of the witnesses to his stoning was Paul (Saul), a Christ hater who would become one of the greatest apostles and lead a mission to spread Christianity throughout the Roman Empire. (See maps of his first, second, and third journeys.) It is believed that Paul was murdered for the faith under Nero’s reign.
Christians, unless you live in the Middle East or Africa or anywhere Muslims rule, it’s doubtful that you’ll be murdered for believing in Christ, but remember the saints who are. Pray for them to remain strong and encouraged. Ask God to give them a calm heart and mind, knowing that he can use even evil for his divine purpose. Who knows how many people will be converted as a result of Rahman’s death? Perhaps one of his murderers will take up the cross and follow Christ, just as the Apostle Paul did!
Rahman’s reward will be great. He will be face to face with Christ.
The marytrs cry, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” That blood will be avenged. Remember this when you hear others talk about God’s love but ignore his righteous wrath.
(The Stoning of St. Stephen by Rembrandt)
Update: In writing this post, I didn’t meant to imply that people should do nothing to help Abdul Rahman. I wanted to provide a biblical perspective on this story. Contact The Voice of the Martyrs and the White House. Also see International Christian Concern. Make your voices heard.
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This is a reminder and a wakeup call to the true church (body of believers in Christ). We tend to forget this in America and because of our spoiled lifestyles and greed the church is filled with wheat and tares. True love for the Lord and persecution such as this tends to separate the wheat from the tares. Will we be ready when it comes here to politically correct and “tolerate every sin, but deny the truth” America (it’s only a matter of time)? oh we may not be killed for being a Christian (under Roman rule, the early believers were not killed by the Romans because they professed Christ, they were killed for not worshiping Caesar, they were killed for the truth).
What will we do when speaking out against sin will put us in jail (Swedish Pastor speaks truth)? Based on the perversion of the constitution by those who do not believe in the Lord, it is only a matter of time.
As John Adams once said “[W]e have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. . . . Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”
“Rahman’s reward will be great. He will be face to face with Christ.”
That is the greatest reward of all. Rahman is in my prayers today as are all the other who are unashamed to profess Christ to men regardless of the cost.
Hey LaShawn,
Nice to see you’re catching up with the Persecution Blog posts
‘Siyo Friends, there’s a simple answer – NO ISLAM – KNOW PEACE. I fear in the near future we’ll be fighting these Muslims within our boarders. For the classrooms ‘Introduction to Islam’ and classrooms set aside for Muslim prayer-rooms, it’s coming, ‘They’re here’. Bear
I want to know what the moderate Muslims have to say about this?
Of course the Afgan President is supposed to be one himself. So his response to this will be telling.
This is why Walid Phares’ Future Jihad should be required reading for everyone who believes in our way of life.
How long until Sharia starts being applied in the US? It’s already taking root in Europe and Canada.
IF you do a little bit of research you will be amazed at how many mini-civil wars are being fought RIGHT THIS MINUTE in Europe by Islamist groups against their neighbors and the authorities to force them to submit and to control territory.
The news media has been cowed (from within by political correctness and from without by the influences of the Saudi/Wahabi monetary influence) and is not reporting thee conflicts or just listing them as local riots by “criminal elements”.
We have had one serious incident in the US (that I know of) already. Right after the start of the Iraq war in Milwaukee, WI during our biggest local music festival a group of minority youth numbering around 200 raged thru the grounds where the event was held assaulting Caucasians. Approximately 400 people were assaulted in some manner (anywhere from just being shoved to at least a dozen folks being hospitalized for being seriously injured).
The little bit of reporting that occurred at all about this was from eye-witnesses to the incident who had contacted one of our few Conservative radio hosts. The local media and the city officials refused any comments on the situation.
No one would comment on what was not only a race riot, but that there were a number of reports from witnesses that the riot had been instigated by an imam at a local mosque sending out his followers to “strike back at the infidels responsible murdering our Iraqi brothers”.
Imagine what would have happened if it had been a bunch of skinheads attacking minorities or Christians had stormed an abortion clinic or a gay rights parade?
The only reason that I even heard about it was because of the radio show and because several people I knew were present when it happened. The story disappeared beneath the usual veil of silence that happens whenever a situation like this occurs.
My bad, it was summer 2002 and it was about Afghanistan and we were only building up to Iraq.
http://www2.jsonline.com/news/metro/jul02/58065.asp
There was some small reporting but the scope and the instigation angle were never investigated.
I think we need to do something about this. We freed these people. Their women are no longer stoned to death. We freed these people and they do this to an innocent man, a Christian? I am outraged! Can’t we get a petition going to send to the President of Afganistan? I am a nobody, but there are plenty of somebody’s out there (LaShawn hint hint) who can write and who have name recognition. Certainly if the Christian community bands together, we can do something! If we don’t, all the wars we are fighting in the name of democracy aren’t worth a dang thing (restraining myself from using curse words).
I have written President Bush on this an asked him to apply what pressure he can to save this man. I also plan to write my senators. Since this case has gotten some public attention (not enough) perhaps some political pressure could help. You can email Bush at commentsATwhitehouseDOTgov. Let’s at least try, folks.
“If Adbul Rahman is willing to stand up for his faith, even if it means death, Christians who are protected by the U.S. Constitution should be willing to stand up against those who want us to keep our faith locked up in our homes.”
Perhaps the irony in this statement doesn’t need to be pointed out but… La Shawn, can you help this bloke figure out why his/her position is untenable? Perhaps he/she needs a simple primer on the value of the separation of church/state, and precisely why Abdul is facing his predicament in Afghanistan.
Hey, La Shawn. I thought you’d be interested to know that Dawn Eden called the White House to urge the prez to make a statement about this. Apparently they aren’t getting too many calls about it.
D’oh! I read this post this morning and just now saw your update about contacting the WH. I’m such a dummy.
nevermind.
I am appalled by this. Islam is the most backward excuse for a religion on the face of this earth.
However: “Unlike Islam, Christianity doesn’t require its adherents to kill those who renounce the faith.”
Sorry, I disagree. It’s been a while, but remember the inquisition? Maybe in another 800 years islam will also be a religion where they don’t kill folks for not accepting it. In the meantime, they are still in the dark ages.
Regarding the infamous Inquisitions, you’ll have to see the Roman Catholic Church about those. – Admin
First, let me just make it clear that in my opinion to arrest, imprison or execute this man or anyone else for professing a belief in any religion is wrong!
Having said that, I have to ask you about this quote from your post:
“Unlike Islam, Christianity doesn’t require its adherents to kill those who renounce the faith.”
Where, in the Quran or anywhere else, does Islam require its adherents to kill those who renounce the faith? I’m not being sarcastic at all. I have not read all of the Quran and I hear this said constantly by Christians, but I have not once seen any kind of reference to where Islamists are given this command.
La Shawn, Please do not forget that we have brothers and sisters being martyred by the Communist/totalitarian government in China.
For those who are interested, The American Family Association has an on-line petition asking for intervention on behalf of this man.
As in everything we should pray for God’s will to be done and not our will. Sometimes the two are in agreement, but always it should be God’s will we wish for.
Having said that I pray that it would be God’s will to let this man be given political asylum in the U.S. or whichever country he wishes. But if it is God’s will that this man be a modern day Stephen, may He send the Holy Spirit to comfort him and may we take on our responsibility for praying for this man.
He has been given many opportunities to return to the religion of Islam but says he believes in Jesus Christ. He knows his earthly life is temporary, but what Jesus has to offer is eternal life with Him. This man is the example of the Apostle Paul when he said, “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
Once again, I pray he is spared, but I also pray for God’s will to be done. As LaShawn indicated in the post it could be many more people would be converted to Christianity if this man is put to death for his faith, and we know God will do whatever He has to do to advance His Kingdom and redeem the souls of those who are lost, whether they are Muslims, Jews, Hindus etc or any Christians who are Christian only because they belong to a Christian church.
May God bless this brave man.
In the new, improved Afganistan (and Iraq, I am told) Islamic Sharia law is offically recognized as the foundation of law. Apparently this includes the persecution of Christians.
My, isn’t the “spreading of Democracy” fun? Think about this the next time the president gives one of his vacuous speeches.
“Regarding the infamous Inquisitions, you’ll have to see the Roman Catholic Church about those.”
Actually, the Protestant Reformation was not a smooth ride either. Abuses of power in the name of religion seems a universally human characteristic.
http://ic.net/~erasmus/RAZ247.HTM
Dave Armstrong pulls a number of quotes out of context, and this proves a “Protestant” inquisition. OK. – Admin
At my blog I’m suggesting that we ask Yale to give him a scholarship
The Muslim faith requires people who abandon Islam to be put to death. There are some Muslims who ignore it, but the truth is that’s what their doctrine and scriptures teach. The Bible never has required this, and neither has Christianity, although some psychopaths claiming to be Christian might have claimed so in the past.
Here’s the critical difference: Some people claiming to be Christians have done awful things in contradictions to the Bible and teachings of the faith.
Some people claiming to be Muslim have rejected aspects of their scriptures and faith and have ceased to be violent and destructive.
In any case, this is a test for Afghanistan, to see where their immediate future lies: in the past with 14th century Islamic domination, or in the future with liberty and democracy.
And yes, while there were battles and abuses in the Reformation, there was no inquisition, there was absolutely no organized church or theological basis for the abuses.
I’m a lurker spurred to de-lurk in the face of this story, La Shawn. I have spent a good portion of my life wondering if I would be able to face death for my faith … if I was faced with the choice that Abdul Rahman has before him, would I have the strength to cling to Christ? I am so desperately proud of this man, of his strength of conviction, and I’m praying that he will be able to maintain that strength – that he will not back down, but will continue to hold firmly to the faith which he possesses, knowing that at the end of the race, Christ will welcome him home with open arms.
I’m tearing up as I type this, praying for him, praying that those who know him will be drawn to Jesus Christ because of what they see in him, and praying that if I ever have to face this choice, that I will not shame my Savior by denying Him.
I’m signing the petition, sending the e-mails, making the calls … but above all I’m praying for God’s grace be upon Abdul Rahman, whatever the outcome of this situation.
Thank you for this post.
This is horrible.
So what was President Bush talking about this morning when he said we had neutralized the Islamist threat in Afghanistan?
#31: The Muslim faith requires people who abandon Islam to be put to death. There are some Muslims who ignore it, but the truth is that’s what their doctrine and scriptures teach.
Once again I ask.. WHERE? I’m not saying you’re wrong, but I have heard this a million times and still have not seen 1 shred of evidence backing it up.
The Catholic Church, being about four times older than the Protestant Church, has had much more time to make mistakes, and/or have it’s power misused by evil men.
None the less persecution, by Protestants, did occur. It ranged from the mild (The British refusal to allow Catholics to be commissioned officers in their armed forces) to the extreme, including a number of massacres. In modern times, the Catholic/Protestant conflict in Ireland is a study in the mutual failure to understand God’s plan.
The message to take away from the Inquisition is not that the Catholic Church was or is evil, but to learn just how important it is to protect the religion from usurpation and misuse by ambitious, and often quite evil, individuals.
Seamus: do you feel threatened by Islamists from Afghanistan? That’s a rhetorical question, don’t bother answering, we both know the truth.
And Thomas: read the Koran. It’s widely available and easy to find, go ahead!
A man is faced with losing his life for being a Muslim who has now chosen to be a Christian. We can all agree that that is bad/wrong/evil etc (and if you can’t what exactly is your problem?). Formerly Muslim Christians in Muslim countries around the world face the exact same fate every single day. Is that not enough evidence that killing apostates is indeed a part of the Islamic faith?
The Inquisition happened, what bearing does it have on the fact that Abdul Rahman is in jeopardy of loosing his life because he is a Christian? The Protestant Reformation wasn’t bloodless, again so what? Those responsible have been judged by God for their crimes. We have an opportunity before us to stand up for what is right and what is good and people want to argue about the sins of the church from half a millenium ago?
Something is wrong in this discussion can anyone tell me what it is?
Thomas – I suggest you read “Unveiling Islam” by Emir and Ergun Caner, former Muslims. Very informative.
This case is actually a test, to see if the legislature is willing to pass a law protecting people who believe in faiths other than Islam. The constitution of Afghanistan recognizes Islam as the official state religion (dated I know, but at least it’s a step forward from what was before). It states explicitly, from what I understand (I don’t read their language) that Islamic Law is followed unless there are state laws that say differently.
So Afghanistan has a choice: pass a law protecting people’s freedom of religion, or slide slowly and brutally back into the 14th century. The choice is theirs, thanks to the coalition led by President Bush. Let us pray and hope that they choose wisely.
My thanks to Mr. Mattson for taking up the sword.
I have just one thing to add to this discussion if I may. A reminder.
Mat 16:25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
Ok, 3rd time’s a charm:
#37: And Thomas: read the Koran. It’s widely available and easy to find, go ahead!
I am reading it, but have not finished it nor have I read anything that backs up your earlier statements. Since they were your statements I assume you have read a passage that supports them which is why I’m asking you to provide that reference. If you have evidence to back your claims then why not provide it for everyone here to see?
THOMAS:
Muslim 623 The Prophet said: “It is not permissible to take the life of a Muslim except in one of the three cases: the married adulterer, a life for a life (if the person is Muslim), and the deserter of Islam.”
Bukhari 9:89:271 A man embraced Islam and then reverted back to Judaism Mu’adh said: “I will not sit down unless you kill him as it is the verdict of Allah and His Apostle”
Bukhari 4:52:260 Ali burnt some people (Zanadiqa, atheists 9:84:57) although the Prophet had said, “Don?t punish anybody with Allah’s punishment (Fire)” if a Muslim discards his religion, kill him”
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Try searching the web for your evidence of Islamic law. I only spent 2 minutes finding the above.
Thanks for the references Larry! Part of the reason I asked for references rather than turning to Google is because 1) Christopher Taylor made the claim so I was curious exactly what he read to make those claims and 2) He almost never gives a reference for any claims he makes so I wanted to see if he would do so when directly asked. I’m not trying to attack him personally, but I don’t think claims like that should be made without any supporting evidence which, as you stated, is easily found.
In response I offer this for thought:
If there be found among you, within any of thy gates which the LORD thy God giveth thee, man or woman, that hath wrought wickedness in the sight of the LORD thy God, in transgressing his covenant, And hath gone and served other gods, and worshipped them, either the sun, or moon, or any of the host of heaven, which I have not commanded; … Then shalt thou bring forth that man or that woman, which have committed that wicked thing, unto thy gates, even that man or that woman, and shalt stone them with stones, till they die. – Deuteronomy 17:2-3,5
So should Christians stone to death someone who converts from Christianity to any other religion? I assume the answer is no, but it seems the above passage commands otherwise.
“So should Christians stone to death someone who converts from Christianity to any other religion? I assume the answer is no, but it seems the above passage commands otherwise.”
And your point is? Read the rest of the Bible, there are 66 whole books with several chapters each and thousands of verses (and please pick a more recent translation than the King James version, English has changed a lot in the last several hundred years) and then you tell us why Christians don’t go around stoning people for the sins they commit.
Also it’s interesting that you chose that one verse because it is no doubt one that was used to justify the stoning of Stephen a follower of Jesus (who is mentioned at the very beginning of this post).
A man’s life again hangs in the balance because of his Christian faith. He is not alone or unique in this. Thousands are in the exact same postion the world over. Many have died, many more will die for not denying Christ. Some will be spared. That’s the way it is but it doesn’t mean we have to like it or not call it what is, pure evil.
Samantha, my point is several posts have claimed the difference between Islam and Christianity is that God never commanded Christians to kill those who convert away from it. That quote says otherwise and no one wants to explain that apparently.
Your comment to “read the rest of the Bible” worries me; are you suggesting that Christians can just throw out passages that they don’t agree with? Are there not other passages in the Quran that speak of peace? So I could just say “read the rest of the Quran” and disregard the verses about killing converts right? Of course not, just as I can’t ignore those verses in the Quran I also can’t ignore the one I quoted from the Bible. That’s why I’m trying to get a Christian’s view of that verse.
As for your translation comment, I used to play a game (at church ironically) that was supposed to show the evils of gossip. We would pass a simple phrase around a circle and by the time it got through 20+ people the entire message had changed drastically. Similarly, translating things tends to lose meaning or gain meaning that wasn’t originally intended. I’m curious what the original Hebrew says for that verse, but not so curious what the “Bible For Teenagers Who Like Easy Words” translation says. Regardless of translation I think no one should kill someone else for converting away from that religion, but my problem is the Bible apparently tells Christians to do just that, as does the Quran.
As for the situation with this man being horrible, wrong and evil.. I agree with you 100% and that has nothing to do with my religious views.
Thomas, the quote is from the Old Testament, and addresses quite a different situation. Jews who followed other gods in the Promised Land then usually followed Ashe-rah or Baal. Both of those deities REQUIRED human sacrifice, usually of your first born. The law has been superceded by the grace of Christ, and Christians are not bound to follow the old Law. Whereas the Koran calls for the death of apostates and infidels throughout the entire volume.
People who’ve never studied the Bible don’t understand that. Thanks for commenting, Ian. I’m trying (in vain) to stay out of the comment section and allow other Christians to address these issues. – Admin
I was actually raised in the church and stayed active until about my junior year of college. And for the record I have read most of the Bible (excluding the “so-and-so begot so-and-so” type passages) but I am by no means claiming to be an expert. So I do understand the concept that most Christians hold of the Old Testament being replaced by the New Testament, which is one of the many problems I have with the religion. I wanted to point out that at one time God did command the same thing that the Quran commands because no one (including myself) seemed to know that.
LaShawn, as always thank you for allowing myself and others to post comments/questions that you often don’t agree with. I think it allows for a much more productive discussion than if everyone just agreed.
Read the rest of the Bible was a request for you to take the verse you quoted in context. It is interesting that you misconstrued those words into a suggestion that Christians should abandon those parts of the Bible that they might find inconvinent.
As to translations, folk who speak English are very spoiled in that they have a plethora of translations to chose from when they approach the Bible. If you’re really interested in Biblical scholarship (or just want to score points in an argument with Christians) at least take the time to choose a translation (there are several) that avails itself of the most up to date Biblical scholarship and the oldest and most reliable Greek and Hebrew manuscripts.
“So I do understand the concept that most Christians hold of the Old Testament being replaced by the New Testament, which is one of the many problems I have with the religion.”
I can see why you would be having problems. The New Testament is the fulfillment of the Old Testament not a replacement. That’s a very important concept to understand and an important distinction to make.
“my point is several posts have claimed the difference between Islam and Christianity is that God never commanded Christians to kill those who convert away from it. That quote says otherwise and no one wants to explain that apparently.”
Not to be overly harsh or anything but you may have been raised in the church and been “active” (whatever that means) but you clearly don’t understand as much as you think. As was pointed out the verse you quote is from the Old Testament referencing Israel. A more thorough study of the Bible would have revealed to you that what you quoted was part of the law governing ancient Israel. Further study would have revealed that all of the law was fulfilled by the death of Christ on the cross.
Now why do you suppose that Christians don’t go around killing people for not being Christians? Again I find it telling that your response to an incident where a man may lose his life for being a Christian is to try to claim that Christians behave in a similar manner. If you truly believe that what is happening to Mr. Rahman is indeed evil what is your purpose in trying to lay this sin at the feet of Christians when they proclaim it to be so?
So are you saying that the infallable God of the New Testament made a mistake when he imposed that law on ancient Israel. What I struggle with is the notion that we can dismiss troublesome things by saying “that was the law governing ancient Israel.” Is it not the same God? If so, you have to be able to adopt the Old Testament as a reflection of your God, as well as the New.
“The New Testament is the fulfillment of the Old Testament not a replacement.”
How do you get from the above (what I actually said in my comment) to
“So are you saying that the infallable God of the New Testament made a mistake when he imposed that law on ancient Israel.”
What do you suppose was the point of the laws governing ancient Israel?
The original quote from Christopher Taylor that prompted this was:
“The Muslim faith requires people who abandon Islam to be put to death. There are some Muslims who ignore it, but the truth is that’s what their doctrine and scriptures teach. The Bible never has required this, and neither has Christianity, although some psychopaths claiming to be Christian might have claimed so in the past.”
My quote from the old testament was meant to prove that he was wrong; that at one time Christianity had the same requirement that Islam has regarding apostasy.
When it comes to prophecies, you’re correct, the New Testament is a fulfillment of the Old Testament. However, when it comes to laws and commandments (like the one I brought up) the New Testament laws and commandments replaced those. I never claimed Christians behaved in a similar manner, only that the Islam law that brought this about (and that many are using as a reason why Islam is a bad religion) was also a Christian law during Old Testament times.
Difference between the old and the new testament is NOW we have grace…
Old testament is the bloom, the new testament is the blossom and you cant have one without the other.
Us Christians look at some of the old testament and are thankful that we have grace today. Not a free pass to sin, but grace. And a true christian isnt looking for a excuse to sin.
Jesus fulfilled the prophecy of Himself in the entire old testament, followed the law at all times and gave us the true meaning of the law. He didnt break even one little commandment and was sinless in this.
Islam has no grace. They deny Christ’s deity. They basically say “believe what He says” but “he’s not the son of God.”
That right there tells you something is wrong.
Actually, it is Judaic law, not Christian. How can you be a Christian if Christ had’t yet come.
Thomas, the New Testament is not a replacement of the Old Testament.
My quote from the old testament was meant to prove that he was wrong; that at one time Christianity had the same requirement that Islam has regarding apostasy.
I’d say that you were attempting to make a Christians are hypocritical and don’t even know what they really believe point. But maybe my perceptions are coloured by the more blatant attempts to make such claims about Christians that I encounter everyday.
What do you know of the culture and history of Israel at the time the law you quoted was given? Do you understand the context out of which it came? Your comments so far indicate that you don’t understand how it relates to Jesus and the New Testament. You have indicated that you are not an expert in these matters, neither am I. But I do know enough to give an account of what I believe (it’s sort of a requirement of the faith). Do you?
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