Comments for What He Said http://www.whathesaid.com Making the words of Christ easy to read and explore Thu, 11 Feb 2010 15:50:45 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 Comment on Turn the Other Cheek…With Your Fist by Marc Tumeinski http://www.whathesaid.com/2010/02/02/turn-the-other-cheek-with-your-fist/comment-page-1/#comment-131 Marc Tumeinski Thu, 11 Feb 2010 15:50:45 +0000 http://www.whathesaid.com/?p=327#comment-131 John 13:34 A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so also you should love one another. John 13:34 A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so also you should love one another.

]]> Comment on Turn the Other Cheek…With Your Fist by Marc Tumeinski http://www.whathesaid.com/2010/02/02/turn-the-other-cheek-with-your-fist/comment-page-1/#comment-130 Marc Tumeinski Thu, 11 Feb 2010 15:49:31 +0000 http://www.whathesaid.com/?p=327#comment-130 Interesting editorial by Chris Ringwald, editor of the Catholic diocesan paper in Albany NY: http://www.evangelist.org/archive/htm10/0121opinion.html Love your enemies (Mt 5:44; Lk 6:27). A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so also you should love one another. Interesting editorial by Chris Ringwald, editor of the Catholic diocesan paper in Albany NY:

http://www.evangelist.org/archive/htm10/0121opinion.html

Love your enemies (Mt 5:44; Lk 6:27).

A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so also you should love one another.

]]> Comment on Euthanasia by Marc Tumeinski http://www.whathesaid.com/2010/02/05/euthanasia/comment-page-1/#comment-129 Marc Tumeinski Thu, 11 Feb 2010 15:40:19 +0000 http://www.whathesaid.com/?p=330#comment-129 Jim, thanks for posting this on such a serious moral issue. Like with many moral issues, it may not be addressed directly in the Gospels, or even in the rest of the Bible. (This seems to me a reason why many Christians look at Scripture in the context of the long tradition of Christian practice as well as Church teaching--but that's a longer and often more divisive topic!) I would want to think more about this but there may be Gospel passages which at least give some background to thinking about euthanasia. For example: Mt 10:30-31 we are told how much God cares for each person Mt 10:28 each human being is made with a body and soul, so death is not just a physical reality or about what is happening to our bodies Mt 19:18 One of the greatest commandments Jesus says is to not kill Mt 16:24 Christ tells his followers that they must take up their own cross. In retrospect, this is to be done in imitation of him. Not a literal cross, but it does imply how we look at suffering. I think so often so-called euthanasia is called for as a way to end someone's suffering. Suffering is real, it is hard, and it is bad–but in the Christian context, physical suffering is not the worst evil, it does not have to be faced alone, and one is not to kill to end someone else's suffering (nor one's own, but that gets into the moral issue of suicide). Jim, thanks for posting this on such a serious moral issue. Like with many moral issues, it may not be addressed directly in the Gospels, or even in the rest of the Bible. (This seems to me a reason why many Christians look at Scripture in the context of the long tradition of Christian practice as well as Church teaching–but that’s a longer and often more divisive topic!)

I would want to think more about this but there may be Gospel passages which at least give some background to thinking about euthanasia. For example:

Mt 10:30-31 we are told how much God cares for each person

Mt 10:28 each human being is made with a body and soul, so death is not just a physical reality or about what is happening to our bodies

Mt 19:18 One of the greatest commandments Jesus says is to not kill

Mt 16:24 Christ tells his followers that they must take up their own cross. In retrospect, this is to be done in imitation of him. Not a literal cross, but it does imply how we look at suffering. I think so often so-called euthanasia is called for as a way to end someone’s suffering. Suffering is real, it is hard, and it is bad–but in the Christian context, physical suffering is not the worst evil, it does not have to be faced alone, and one is not to kill to end someone else’s suffering (nor one’s own, but that gets into the moral issue of suicide).

]]> Comment on Searching for Religion by Sarah http://www.whathesaid.com/2010/01/28/searching-for-religion/comment-page-1/#comment-124 Sarah Mon, 08 Feb 2010 19:56:34 +0000 http://www.whathesaid.com/?p=323#comment-124 Hi! I just came across your blog. Did you have a chance to read through the Jesus2020 site? I hope it isn't that scary! We are just trying to share the good news of Christ with as many people as we can. :) Hi! I just came across your blog. Did you have a chance to read through the Jesus2020 site? I hope it isn’t that scary! We are just trying to share the good news of Christ with as many people as we can. :)

]]> Comment on Turn the Other Cheek…With Your Fist by John http://www.whathesaid.com/2010/02/02/turn-the-other-cheek-with-your-fist/comment-page-1/#comment-119 John Wed, 03 Feb 2010 01:14:47 +0000 http://www.whathesaid.com/?p=327#comment-119 Feodor Emelianenko, widely regarded as the best in the MMA world is an Orthodox Christian. Feodor: “I try to get a blessing before all important things, including my fights. God willing, my spiritual father[Archpriest] Andrei Zinoviev will make the trip [to fight in Thailand] with me.” Probably the most famous Orthodox Christian in the American sports arena is Troy Polamalu (Steelers). Polamalu: “This life that I struggle to live, I try to do so in the eyes of my spiritual father [Elder Ephraim of St. Anthony’s Monastery].” Each of these Orthodox athletes are in obedience to their spiritual fathers. Their faith and humility inform them as men who just happen to be professional athletes. The Evangelical MMA practitioners seem to be striving to have their faith (and apparently their very manhood) conform to the image of the MMA fighter. Big difference. Living out the Orthodox Christian faith is a life of ascesis, struggle against sin and evil in the world. I remember seeing the back of one of Feodor’s t-shirts that had a drawing of him choking out (with a rear naked choke) a dragon. In the Holy Scriptures, the dragon is a representation of the devil. Living out the faith Evangelical-MMA style is apparently about being a fighter, showing the world that one is a “winner” by beating or choking a fellow human being into submission. Big difference. Orthodox Christianity has lots fighting words to live by..just two examples: “The true Christian is a warrior making his way through the regiments of the invisible enemy to reach his heavenly homeland.” – St. Herman of Alaska “In every battle with the enemy, you must emerge victorious. Either die in the struggle,or win with God. There is no other road.” – Elder Joseph the Hesychast Maybe someday these unmanned Evangelical MMAers will to learn to fight in an Orthodox manner like Feodor and Troy. Feodor Emelianenko, widely regarded as the best in the MMA world is an Orthodox Christian.

Feodor: “I try to get a blessing before all important things, including my fights. God willing, my spiritual father[Archpriest] Andrei Zinoviev will make the trip [to fight in Thailand] with me.”

Probably the most famous Orthodox Christian in the American sports arena is Troy Polamalu (Steelers).

Polamalu: “This life that I struggle to live, I try to do so in the eyes of my spiritual father [Elder Ephraim of St. Anthony’s Monastery].”

Each of these Orthodox athletes are in obedience to their spiritual fathers.

Their faith and humility inform them as men who just happen to be professional athletes.

The Evangelical MMA practitioners seem to be striving to have their faith (and apparently their very manhood) conform to the image of the MMA fighter.

Big difference.

Living out the Orthodox Christian faith is a life of ascesis, struggle against sin and evil in the world. I remember seeing the back of one of Feodor’s t-shirts that had a drawing of him choking out (with a rear naked choke) a dragon. In the Holy Scriptures, the dragon is a representation of the devil.

Living out the faith Evangelical-MMA style is apparently about being a fighter, showing the world that one is a “winner” by beating or choking a fellow human being into submission.

Big difference.

Orthodox Christianity has lots fighting words to live by..just two examples:

“The true Christian is a warrior making his way through the regiments of the invisible enemy to reach his heavenly homeland.”
– St. Herman of Alaska

“In every battle with the enemy, you must emerge victorious. Either die in the struggle,or win with God. There is no other road.”
– Elder Joseph the Hesychast

Maybe someday these unmanned Evangelical MMAers will to learn to fight in an Orthodox manner like Feodor and Troy.

]]> Comment on Biblical allusions by Marc Tumeinski http://www.whathesaid.com/2009/12/11/biblical-allusions/comment-page-1/#comment-27 Marc Tumeinski Thu, 17 Dec 2009 01:26:10 +0000 http://www.whathesaid.com/?p=235#comment-27 Women were required by the Mosaic law to offer a sacrifice after they gave birth. This is why Mary, as a faithful Jewish woman, was bringing a sacrifice to the Temple. One interesting fact: the Law required the sacrifice of a lamb, but if the mother could not afford it, she could offer two turtledoves or two pigeons (Lv 12:8). Mary and Joseph were likely poor then. Women were required by the Mosaic law to offer a sacrifice after they gave birth. This is why Mary, as a faithful Jewish woman, was bringing a sacrifice to the Temple. One interesting fact: the Law required the sacrifice of a lamb, but if the mother could not afford it, she could offer two turtledoves or two pigeons (Lv 12:8). Mary and Joseph were likely poor then.

]]> Comment on Jesus’ genealogy by Marc Tumeinski http://www.whathesaid.com/2009/12/08/jesus-genealogy/comment-page-1/#comment-26 Marc Tumeinski Thu, 17 Dec 2009 01:17:30 +0000 http://www.whathesaid.com/?p=221#comment-26 I've been meaning to respond, but the 'astute Biblical scholar' comment was enough to scare me and probably others off! Here's a few thoughts though... All of Scripture is inspired (2 Timothy 3:16) which means it faithfully communicates truth. Scripture also includes many different kinds of literature, like poetry, history, drama, stories, and so on. Some elements in Matthew and Luke's infancy narratives are in agreement, which may indicate these elements are historical. Other elements though were chosen to communicate particular truths from Matthew and Luke to their intended audiences, which were different. As Raymond Brown points out, both Matthew and Luke trace Jesus' genealogy through Joseph, which would make Jesus a descendant (son) of David, an important title which the prophets of Israel predicted that the expected Messiah would have. Both authors also indicate that the Holy Spirit played a key role in Jesus' conception; hence, Mary's virginity. Both accounts include a proclamation by an angel. In both descriptions, the news of Jesus' birth is shared with others. In both accounts, some kind of trouble either occurred or was predicted (e.g., the massacre of the innocent children, lack of room in the inn, prediction that Jesus would cause the rise and fall of many in Israel, etc.) So much more to say but maybe this will inspire readers to compare the 2 accounts for themselves. I’ve been meaning to respond, but the ‘astute Biblical scholar’ comment was enough to scare me and probably others off! Here’s a few thoughts though… All of Scripture is inspired (2 Timothy 3:16) which means it faithfully communicates truth. Scripture also includes many different kinds of literature, like poetry, history, drama, stories, and so on.

Some elements in Matthew and Luke’s infancy narratives are in agreement, which may indicate these elements are historical. Other elements though were chosen to communicate particular truths from Matthew and Luke to their intended audiences, which were different.

As Raymond Brown points out, both Matthew and Luke trace Jesus’ genealogy through Joseph, which would make Jesus a descendant (son) of David, an important title which the prophets of Israel predicted that the expected Messiah would have. Both authors also indicate that the Holy Spirit played a key role in Jesus’ conception; hence, Mary’s virginity. Both accounts include a proclamation by an angel. In both descriptions, the news of Jesus’ birth is shared with others. In both accounts, some kind of trouble either occurred or was predicted (e.g., the massacre of the innocent children, lack of room in the inn, prediction that Jesus would cause the rise and fall of many in Israel, etc.)

So much more to say but maybe this will inspire readers to compare the 2 accounts for themselves.

]]> Comment on A Wish for Peace by Marc Tumeinski http://www.whathesaid.com/2009/11/11/a-wish-for-peace/comment-page-1/#comment-17 Marc Tumeinski Sat, 14 Nov 2009 21:22:56 +0000 http://www.whathesaid.com/?p=181#comment-17 Your comment provides a great impetus to read what Jesus said about peace. The books of the New Testament were written in Greek, and the Greek noun for peace (eirene) plus closely related adjectives (e.g., peaceful) and other nouns (e.g, peacemaker) are used over 90 times in the New Testament. Over twenty of these are in the Gospels. Most of them are spoken by Jesus. Mt 5:9 Mt 10:13 Mt 10:34 Mk 5:34 Mk 9:50 Lk 7:50 Lk 8:48 Lk 10:5 Lk 10:6 Lk 11:21 Lk 12:51 Lk 14:32 Lk 19:42 Lk 24:36 Jn 14:27 Jn 16:33 Jn 20:19 Jn 20:21 Jn 20:26 Your comment provides a great impetus to read what Jesus said about peace. The books of the New Testament were written in Greek, and the Greek noun for peace (eirene) plus closely related adjectives (e.g., peaceful) and other nouns (e.g, peacemaker) are used over 90 times in the New Testament. Over twenty of these are in the Gospels. Most of them are spoken by Jesus.

Mt 5:9
Mt 10:13
Mt 10:34

Mk 5:34
Mk 9:50

Lk 7:50
Lk 8:48
Lk 10:5
Lk 10:6
Lk 11:21
Lk 12:51
Lk 14:32
Lk 19:42
Lk 24:36

Jn 14:27
Jn 16:33
Jn 20:19
Jn 20:21
Jn 20:26

]]> Comment on We’re Live! by JEL http://www.whathesaid.com/2009/10/26/were-live/comment-page-1/#comment-12 JEL Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:58:46 +0000 http://whathesaid.com.s75496.gridserver.com/?p=135#comment-12 We're so glad the book arrived quickly and that it has been well received! Let us know what your study/discussion group thinks. We’re so glad the book arrived quickly and that it has been well received! Let us know what your study/discussion group thinks.

]]> Comment on The Judas Story by JEL http://www.whathesaid.com/2009/10/29/the-judas-story/comment-page-1/#comment-11 JEL Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:57:36 +0000 http://www.whathesaid.com/?p=151#comment-11 Terrific point, Marc. I'm new to all this and am fascinated by the different voices and the influencing "hands" on these voices. Terrific point, Marc. I’m new to all this and am fascinated by the different voices and the influencing “hands” on these voices.

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