I think you are deliberately choosing not to hear my point and not to understand the passage about that particular Pharisee. I don't expect you to agree with it, just the opposite in fact. But you seem to fundamentally refuse to even see what point I'm trying to make.
At this point, I think it's on purpose.
Also, I'm dying at the notion that only you can say what is and what isn't a proper way to criticize another Christian.
There must be a communication barrier between the two of us, because I too feel like you aren't hearing what I'm saying. I'm not telling you what you have to believe. I'm telling you what I believe because YOU asked me whether or not I think a Christian is allowed to criticize another Christian. Was your intention in asking me about that for me to answer or not?
Sure. There were Pharisees praying publicly just to be seen. There were Pharisees criticizing other Jews publicly in order to shame them. There were Pharisees sinning in just about every way imaginable, just like Christians sin in every way imaginable today.
I'm a Pharisee in many ways. I won't deny what you said. I think we all are in our own ways, I just don't think it's appropriate to go around pointing out each other's sin that way.
But as I said, there is an obvious communication barrier between the two of us. We should probably just agree to disagree and focus on the beliefs we have in common.
Also, I didn't ask you in what surface ways are you proclaiming the gospel of Christ. I asked specifically about actions.
Displaying the cross, wearing modest dress, and playing Christian music are all nice things but are they signs of a tree bearing fruit? Not really.
If you agree with the analogy of a tree representing the church, the things you describe are the flowers of the tree. I'm asking about the fruit of your labor, the actual work of your hands for the Lord. The physical, actionable ways in which you proclaim the Gospel. So far, everything you've mentioned could be interpreted as strictly for show.
I'm not saying you have to and I'm not saying you aren't a Christian or aren't a good Christian if you don't. I guess I'm just curious about your works and if you are equally as fascidious about the work of the church as you are about maintaining the appearance of glorifying God.
And I don't mean that to sound negative. I'm honestly curious.
That is such a strange question.
I'm not going to sit here and list all of my good deeds. I answered your question in the sentences before the list of superficial things (but once again we have a communication barrier that is preventing reading comprehension in each other's posts apparently). I aim to serve God whenever he calls me. Right now the obvious things are in the meals ministry at my church, participating through reading Scripture during services, volunteering at the local Crisis Pregnancy Center, and through my "ministry" with my children here at home (the one that I believe is my most important calling).
How can anyone list the fruit they bear or the good deeds they do throughout the day? That's a strange question. My answer is that I try (and often fail) to serve cheerfully when I see a need.
You seriously talk (type) out of both sides of your mouth (fingers.)
You still haven't addressed what I said and you're still hung up on the technical definition of a Pharisee when I've said more than once that is not what I said.
So I'm going to assume the answer here is that yes, you dress the way you do to draw attention to the fact that you're a Christian and that you don't really do much in the way of actions to proclaim the gospel.
You seriously talk (type) out of both sides of your mouth (fingers.)
You still haven't addressed what I said and you're still hung up on the technical definition of a Pharisee when I've said more than once that is not what I said.
So I'm going to assume the answer here is that yes, you dress the way you do to draw attention to the fact that you're a Christian and that you don't really do much in the way of actions to proclaim the gospel.
So sure, we're agreed.
OK. You can ignore what I type. That's fine. I said I'm a Pharisee (we all are) and listed the ministries I am involved with. Apparently those weren't the answers you're looking for.
Instead of worrying about the ways that I serve God, why don't you focus on the ways you do. Are you expecting more from me because I dress a certain way? There are no words. The irony of calling me a Pharisee (you know someone who expected things from others that they themselves weren't willing to do) has floored me.
I did not call you a Pharisee. I am curious about possible parallels and if you're curious about such parallels.
I also am not worried about how you serve God. I am curious given what you said about appearances and how willing you are to dedicate multiple responses to that what other ways you express your faith.
But if you are curious about my works, sure, I'd be happy to share them.
I also am not worried about how you serve God. I am curious given what you said about appearances and how willing you are to dedicate multiple responses to that what other ways you express your faith.
Acts of service for God and others are a way of expressing your faith. The ministries I'm involved in are ways that I show Christ's Love - I express my faith through the meals ministry by making food for people coming out of the hospital, by reading Scripture when my pastor asks during services, by helping girls deciding whether or not to keep their babies choose life, by teaching free liturgical dance classes at a local church, and most importantly, by raising Godly children (the most important ministry for any mother). I express my faith through my dress, through the way I speak (by trying to avoid using foil language and other hateful words that the Bible warns me against using, through the foods I eat, through the businesses I support, the charities I donate to, the blog I write, the gifts I give. I'm not sure what you're asking here. As a Christian, everything we do should be an expression of our faith, right? If we aren't doing it for God and for His glory our intentions are sinful according to the Bible.
You mentioned Matthew 7 - you will know them by their fruit. My pastor often says that where people's time, money, and energy is spent, that's where their heart is. You and other people on this board like to tell me I talk too much about Christ. You say it's because I'm a Pharisee, but maybe that's where my heart is. Maybe my faith is my fruit that you're not seeing.
If you truly think I don't understand, perhaps it would be better to try to show me what you mean instead of simply responding to every post of mine with an attempt at humor or insulting me.
The irony hurts. It's funny that you can't see it.
I have repeatedly explained my use of the word Pharisee and yet you continue to insist that I called you such. If that's the game we're going to play, let's dance.
You asked me a question about service and faith, I give you an answer about my beliefs and instead of responding to my answer to YOUR question you're still harping on the Pharisee comment from earlier (FTR I realize you didn't call me one in this thread, you just said there are similarities, but you have called me a Pharisee several times before. I'm pretty clear on where you stand after the last time you made a thread about it to specifically call me out.)
This is the game with you today. You ask me a question pretending to be genuinely curious. When I answer your question you ignore the response and choose to find a way to insult me.
You said it, right? You will know them by their fruit. I'm not going to waste me time on you anymore. If you had any type on genuine curiosity or interest in this topic your response would be respectful like some of the other posters in this thread that have disagreed.
I think you believe what you're saying about yourself Aw. It's fine you're into Christ and doing works. It's great. It's fine you wear a head covering. I think that because you don't intend it that way, you're not acknowledging that others may perceive the gesture as shallow and flashy, like bragging of your good works. It doesn't mean that's what you really are meaning or doing, but some can see it that way. This fact just needs a little acknowledgement that you are aware of it now. Denying you mean it that way doesn't deny that the perception of others exists.
I understand that you are religious but don't agree with all of your beliefs. I see taking issue with your putting so much significance/judgement in clothing choices - head covering means more devout or leopard print means hooker. You may believe self style does confer some kind of virtue on the person, but I don't see you acknowledging (which isn't the same as agreeing) that someone else might see that as not true.
I have no opinion on the pharisees stuff. I don't know what all is about. My only response to all that is, let's get along.
Last time I mentioned the pharisees was in the same exact context. Just figured I'd note that since once again, you seem intent on pretty much ignoring anything that doesn't kiss your ass or fit nicely into your worldview.
I guess we're on the same page because you have repeatedly ignored or frankly, just made up what I'm saying to you and then used that to insist I'm picking on you.
Yeah, I lit a fire over your covered little head yesterday. I am not denying that. But today, I asked you geniune questions and when they didn't allow you to come off looking like a saint, you dodged them with mock offensive.
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
TY
Google almost ground to a halt, getting a bible verse query from my IP address.
She's wears a headscarf. I don't see the big fucking deal. Her scarf has nothing to do with your relationship w/ god. Nothing. She's not trying to impose a scarf on you. She's not trying to co-opt another's religion. This is how she feels closer to god. Who cares, I mean who really cares if she has valid biblical support? I feel closer to god when I'm in a redwood forest. Do I need to justify it to you by pointing out biblical passages? People who think she's being holier than thou by wearing a scarf probably need to do some self reflection on their own spiritual journey. People who think she's wearing a scarf in order to steal another religion need to get over themselves.
I'm really tired of being an AW apologetic and now I'm fucking grumpy.
She's wears a headscarf. I don't see the big fucking deal. Her scarf has nothing to do with your relationship w/ god. Nothing. She's not trying to impose a scarf on you. She's not trying to co-opt another's religion. This is how she feels closer to god. Who cares, I mean who really cares if she has valid biblical support? I feel closer to god when I'm in a redwood forest. Do I need to justify it to you by pointing out biblical passages? People who think she's being holier than thou by wearing a scarf probably need to do some self reflection on their own spiritual journey. People who think she's wearing a scarf in order to steal another religion need to get over themselves.
I'm really tired of being an AW apologetic and now I'm fucking grumpy.
:Y: i just recently realized pet here is a split between how seriously I take the message board and how seriously everyone else is taking the message board....this post is ooc
She's wears a headscarf. I don't see the big fucking deal. Her scarf has nothing to do with your relationship w/ god. Nothing. She's not trying to impose a scarf on you. She's not trying to co-opt another's religion. This is how she feels closer to god. Who cares, I mean who really cares if she has valid biblical support? I feel closer to god when I'm in a redwood forest. Do I need to justify it to you by pointing out biblical passages? People who think she's being holier than thou by wearing a scarf probably need to do some self reflection on their own spiritual journey. People who think she's wearing a scarf in order to steal another religion need to get over themselves.
I'm really tired of being an AW apologetic and now I'm fucking grumpy.
Thank you.
I don't get why people on here care so much about AW and what she says or does. I don't agree with her on a lot of things, and occasionally she says some crazy things, but whatever. Nobody else on here ever provokes these massive threads on a regular basis.
She's wears a headscarf. I don't see the big fucking deal. Her scarf has nothing to do with your relationship w/ god. Nothing. She's not trying to impose a scarf on you. She's not trying to co-opt another's religion. This is how she feels closer to god. Who cares, I mean who really cares if she has valid biblical support? I feel closer to god when I'm in a redwood forest. Do I need to justify it to you by pointing out biblical passages? People who think she's being holier than thou by wearing a scarf probably need to do some self reflection on their own spiritual journey. People who think she's wearing a scarf in order to steal another religion need to get over themselves.
I'm really tired of being an AW apologetic and now I'm fucking grumpy.
Thank you.
I don't get why people on here care so much about AW and what she says or does. I don't agree with her on a lot of things, and occasionally she says some crazy things, but whatever. Nobody else on here ever provokes these massive threads on a regular basis.
I don't get why people on here care so much about AW and what she says or does. I don't agree with her on a lot of things, and occasionally she says some crazy things, but whatever. Nobody else on here ever provokes these massive threads on a regular basis.
Maybe I'm just bored of it.
Yep, boring bible basher is boring.
No, really.
It seems other Christian/religious folks give AW the hardest time.
It seems other Christian/religious folks give AW the hardest time.
What? A slightly different variation on what is otherwise essentially the same belief giving the other a hard time? I bet that has never happened in history until now! lolz
It seems other Christian/religious folks give AW the hardest time.
What? A slightly different variation on what is otherwise essentially the same belief giving the other a hard time? I bet that has never happened in history until now! lolz
You don't pray like me! Let's go to war!!
All this infighting is one of the reasons why I reject organized religion.