If this was taken seriously, there would probably not be the strange phenomenon of preachers, standing on college campuses, with strange signs, barking through megaphones at passers-by. I don't take it seriously either, as, like many sayings in red letters, i don't consider it to be any part of the message(s) of Jesus. Instead, i regulate the dispensation of what i know on a case by case basis, usually based on: how will i feel after telling this person this and that about that and this? I am interested in effectiveness/receptiveness. I might not be the best judge as to who, what or when anyone is ready to hear anything. So i acknowledge, as this saying (attributed to Jesus) should have acknowledged, that the most effective distribution of information is through a more DIRECT GUIDANCE from above, so-to-speak. Coming from the direct guidance paradigm, there is no need to become judges sitting over pigs and dogs, trying to separate out starfish from crabs, wheat from chaff, spiders from ticks, mice and men, and a hundred other judgement that the (arrogant) human ego makes about other humans. I sometimes joke: *Salvation is for Christians too*, as i consider them to be the last in line to experience salvation, in the meanwhile considering themselves first in line. And while they consider themselves first in line, it's apparent to me that they trample on the gospel like a herd of bison spooked by a wolf. They have no clue, and i am careful not to waste my time talking to them. In light of universal salvation, these kinds of distinctions are petty. People and/or persons are not what is being saved. Salvation is not for dogs, not for pigs, not for Greeks, not for Jews, not for women, not for men...not for Christians. Neither is salvation for the "earth", or the "sun" or the "moon". None of these people or things are part of *THE UNIVERSE*. In universal salvation, it is the universe that is being saved. Contrary to popular opinion, the stars, galaxies, planets, seas, trees, bees (atoms, quarks, dark matter, etc) and people do NOT constitute *THE UNIVERSE*. To a planet, the "gospel" (good news) is the salvation of the planet. To a tree, the gospel is the salvation of the tree. To a bird, the gospel is the salvation of the bird. To a dog, the gospel is the salvation of the dog. To a pig, the gospel is the salvation of the pig. To people, the gospel is the salvation of one's person. To Paul, the gospel is the salvation of Paul. To the Christian, the gospel is the salvation of the Christian. To the universe, the gospel is the salvation of the universe. And to Christ, the gospel is the salvation of Christ. So everything has their own gospel...the information that saves it...or guides it's salvation...or preserves it's status quo (keeps it from experiencing rapid radical change: death). Christians are unique in that they explicitly seek salvation AT THE EXPENSE OF CHRIST! I could understand if Christians sought salvation at the expense of mosquitoes. I could understand if Christians sought salvation at the expense of flys and ticks, and other bugs that make planetary existence a living hell. I'd be in favor of extirpating every last rattle snake for the sake of mankind. But Christ??!! If we can believe any of the red letters, perhaps we can believe it when Christ said: "You must lay down your life for my sake. He who holds on to his own life will lose it." If you examine these words closely, you can see that SALVATION IS FOR CHRIST, at the expense of people, not the other way round. In light of this, i'm surprised Christians even admit they depend on the death of Christ for their salvation. So who, exactly, is trampling on what gospel? I trample on the gospel that saves Christians, people, Greeks, Jews, dogs and pigs and Luke. Christians trample on the gospel that saves Christ. I don't think one Christian realizes that Christ is the Universe...nor do they care (no, not the "universe" you are thinking of. Something completely different from what you even imagine). I think there is a correlation between how much they care, and how much is revealed to them. The general idea is, if you don't want to know, not even Christ will tell you! Think of ignorance as a hardened shell with the express intention of keeping Christ out! Christ is not like the "force" in Star Wars. Christ will not force the knowledge of Christ into a shell of ignorance. Speaking of a shell of ignorance, THAT is what your "world" is...your "universe"...that container of stars, planets, seas, trees, bees and people. Your world is very much like a "Private Property. Keep Out." sign. That includes the Christian world, the Greek world, the Jew world, the dog world, the pig world, the spider world and the snake world. This world perpetuates itself by it's own initiative. In other words, it is a facade over the face of Christ. So, you can save the facade at the expense of Christ, or, you can reveal the face of Christ at the expense of the facade. This is the "revelation". Christ is revealed when your character takes off the facade. Are you a Christian? Then you are part of the facade. Are you a Greek? Then you are part of the facade. Are you a dog? Then you are part of the facade. Are you an ass? Then you are part of the facade that mocks Christ, pretends to be Christ, and claims to be Christ. So you are a Christian and you claim you have never claimed to be Christ? Liar. Have you ever claimed to be alive? Have you ever claimed to exist? Have you ever claimed that your existence is true? Truth and life are attributes that belong to Christ, and Christ alone. You can walk around with these things hanging around your neck, as if they belong to you. But you would be a thief. In making these claims and assertions, you are indeed willing to grab your own salvation at the expense of Christ. But if you do this, you will die a thief's death. Revelation alert: Christ is the universe, the entire universe, the whole universe, and nothing but the universe. Everything that could possibly be alive and true is what Christ actually is. Fortunately, people are neither alive, nor true . Fortunately for Christ, that is. This is because people represent the destruction of Christ...including Christians. Christians are the only one's willing to admit they depend on the destruction of Christ for their own salvation. But everything in a world of people depends on the destruction of Christ for it's so-called "existence". Rocks, for example, depend on the destruction of Christ for their existence, but they don't dare admit it. As such, there is The Universe (Christ) and the appearance of an anti-universe (Anti-Christ). The anti-universe functions as a facade that completely hides The Universe (Christ). The facade must be removed for Christ (The Universe) to be revealed. This is quite contrary to Paul's gospel which claims that Christ can be seen in the anti-verse, or what Paul thinks of as the universe of people, planets, seas, trees and bees. No, that is pantheism, where Good is revealed in what can be seen. I'm talking about reverse pantheism in which Good is utterly mocked by what is seen (by human eyes, including the eye itself), made fun of, insulted, and if possible, destroyed. In supporting the pantheism of Paul, Christians are supporting the anti-universal facade against the revelation of the Universe of Christ...literally supporting the anti-Christ against Christ. So who, exactly, is trampling on the gospel? Why should i talk to Christians? Really, i don't. I don't talk to them. I talk PAST Christians. And, while i talk PAST Christians, i talk to my SELF. I am talking to the living being, the only living being worth saving: Christ! It is Christ that must be convinced to lay down the facade. Christ is what has put the facade on, and so, it is Christ that must lay the facade down. I only talk to people who can possibly see themselves as Christ. Like i said, i have no idea, as part of the facade, who is ready to put the facade down and see themselves as Christ. That is why i say that direct guidance, from above, so-to-speak, is what is really necessary, and all that is necessary. This is called a "broadcast", like casting seeds on the ground. Perhaps some of them will sprout. Perhaps some will be scorched under the hot sun. Perhaps some will be blown away by contravening winds of doctrine. I broadcast because it makes me feel good, as it reminds me of my own destiny. Do i care about Christians? No, i really don't. Do i care about atheists? No, i really don't. It would literally be a miracle if any sentient being saw itself as Christ...as a result of anything i said.
The 12th chapter of Luke… Again, each of the nine or so subheadings in this chapter pretty much bring to mind (for me) the details that follow them, so this leaves me with only a couple of comments… One is to note that it is in this chapter, in verse 10, that Yeshua describes the unpardonable sin. However, in the Gospel accounts written by Matthew and Mark, this is done during the description of an event that Luke described back in chapter 11, verses 14-23. (See Mark 3:22-30 and Matthew 12:22-32. I believe all these passages are describing the same occurrence.) It is my understanding that there are some who claim it is impossible to commit the unpardonable sin today, because Yeshua is not physically present on the Earth, so no one can personally see Him perform miracles and then attribute that power to the devil instead of to the Holy Spirit. However, I would tend to agree with those who say that rejecting the Holy Spirit is the unpardonable sin, and that this is because it is only by the prompting of the Holy Spirit that one is led to the Messiah and then baptized into the body of Christ. Hence, if an individual opposes the Holy Spirit, s/he is rejecting the only means by which someone can establish fellowship (a personal relationship) with God. I already commented previously that believers and nonbelievers who try to portray the Messiah exclusively in terms of “warm fuzzies” might want to take a look at verse 51, where the Savior Himself says: “Do you think that I have come to give peace on Earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.” So the only other thing I would highlight for myself in this chapter is how it appears that when Yeshua speaks of the faithful and evil servant in verses 47-48, He appears to suggest that the severity of the consequences one suffers in judgment will be relative to the amount of guilt attributed to each individual while operating in this life.
Ridiculous as the Bible, but then that was the point. Not intended to be funny, but presumably neither are talking Bible snakes and magic water walking intended to be funny. But those things and far too many others contained in the Bible certainly are ridiculous and funny. Uncalled for posting? Pointing out the flaming obvious on a message board isn't called for? Really. Strange you don't seem to think deviant Gospel stories like Luke, that play upon superstition fear and cowardice to the point where those who believe such things can't even see the fear and cowardice that demands preconditioned unquestioning love and worship on penalty of hate filled retribution. How come that isn't ridiculous, unfunny and uncalled for.
No i think there might be some redeeming value to what expiated is doing. I'm just not sure what it is yet.
Luke Chapter 13… The details following the subheading “Repent or Perish” recounts the calamity that befell some worshipers who were slaughtered by Pilate, as well as some people who were crushed by a tower in Siloam. The parable of the barren fig tree refers to the fig tree that the landowner gave one final chance to bear fruit. Spirit of infirmity is a reference to the woman (daughter of Abraham) whom Satan bound for 18 years, who’s loosening put to shame the hypocritical ruler of the synagogue. Details following the subheading “The Narrow Door” include Yeshua’s informing listeners that in the kingdom of heaven, some who are last will be first, and some who are first will be last. And before Yeshua laments over Jerusalem (expressing how He would have preferred to gather the Israelites together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings) He evidences a total lack of fear of Herod, whom some Pharisees warned was out to kill Him.
On the principle that one fairy tale deserves another.... Luke Chapter 6… Details following the massacre of Luke's padawan learners shows how worshipers of the Force were slaughtered alongside those crushed in the Jedi Academy. The Spirit of the " Living Ghost" refers to the way Skywalker projected a facsimile of himself across infinite light years through the Force, so that He could rescue His nephew by physically taking hold of him. Details following Luke's self imposed exile explains the way He considered the decision to fight Darth Vader was made in a moment of weakness . Fearless in the face of His enemies, under Luke's hand thousands perished. This is explained by Luke being the utmost practitioner of Jediism. Being a Master of the kingdom of the light side is justification enough for true believers following Him, praying to and expressing gratitude to the Force as entry to its everlasting glory. One night, Luke concerned about Ben's possible turn to the Dark Side, approached him as he slept and Luke ignited his green light saber. Ben awoke, saw Luke and reacted in self-defense by drawing his own light saber in an evil attack against Luke. Ben then collapsed the building around Luke and assuming Luke had been vanquished, massacred students of the Jedi Academy as he made his escape. When Luke awakened, he found the Jedi Academy in flames. And as Luke lamented over the Academy He manifests the Power of the Force in a total lack of fear of Ben, who Gungans said "has already warn was kill Luke out to".
The 14th Chapter of Luke… The fourth subheading in this chapter, where Yeshua talks about leaving all to follow Christ, is where He indicates that it might actually be necessary to give up one’s family to become a disciple of the Messiah. It is also where he points out the necessity of “counting the cost.”
The 14th Chapter of Luke… Words and meanings are made unambiguously clear in this chapter and Bible Jesus's anti-Family values are not merely indicated but manifested in full. In counting the cost one counts the hate of family required to become a disciple of the Messiah.
The 15th Chapter of Luke… This is the chapter where Yeshua mentions that the angels in heaven rejoice whenever a sinner comes to repentance, and the “story of the lost son” is the account of the prodigal, which also implies that one who is resentful when those who turn away from evil are subsequently treated well is behaving poorly himself (or herself).