Must We Graduate From the Law?

"Do not think that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them."  //Jesus, Matt5:17

The Law Fulfilled
After discussing with you all for weeks about how Christ fulfilled the law, I would like to present how I understand this conflict between having to keep the law of Moses and doing away with the law of Moses.  As did Christian-History.org, I will begin with two scriptures that seem to contradict at first glance:

“Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness for everyone who believes.”  //Rom 10:4

“Do not think I came to abolish the Law.  I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill.”  //Matt 5:17

The above link describes that Christ ‘extended’ the Law to have a greater meaning.  While this is definitely true, I would like to open up a few more reasons why it is not beneficial to revert back to justification by the Law.  Actually, it is quite dangerous.

The Porn Myth

Do you think it's wrong to look at porn?  Aren't all things permissible?  I have heard some people talk about how porn can be an "amazing thing," like drinking a good cup of coffee, or enjoying a hot bath.  Maybe you also know some people who offer some convincing justifications for occasional porn use.  They speak as if using others for selfish pleasure should be considered "me time," like watching an amusing sitcom on NBC.

However, anyone who is hooked will tell you that it is NOT "amazing", or remotely close to enjoying a tasty beverage.  The difference?  A cold beer, or a hot bath is not a lie.  A beer or a bath actually delivers exactly what it promises.  You don't sit down to enjoy a coffee, and then feel terrible about it afterward (unless you have toxic shame about the activity, which I will get to).  A cup of coffee is a cup of coffee, not a trap to make you do things that you would never have otherwise even considered doing.  So, I submit to you that porn is inherently toxic all by itself.  And when toxic shame is thrown into the mix, it is severely destructive.

Porn is an absolute lie.  Although people are quick to admit that they know it's "only fantasy," the fact remains that porn is real.  If you've ever watched a movie with significant violence, you probably were not too bothered by it, since you realize that it's not real.  The blood is fake, the guns don't have real bullets, and the people aren't really angry.  They're just actors playing a part.  But in porn, the people are real, and their problems are real.  They aren't simply characters in a movie; they are our brothers and sisters whom we are watching ACTUALLY having sex with each other.  Not fake sex, like a typical rated R movie; real sex.  So, not only is porn not fulfilling for the masturbating consumer whose gratification is extremely fleeting; it is even LESS fun for the person on the other side of the screen, who is forced to be there for any number of reasons (yes forced; keep reading!)  For this reason, porn is a LOVE/JUSTICE issue...

Naked Spirituality - For Parents

How many kids have been taught to view uncertainty as weakness instead of it being synonymous with humility?  As most of you know, I often speak of being on an "honest spiritual journey."  I think that a large portion of our "navigating" has to do with either EMULATING or AVOIDING certain examples we've seen.  Whose spirituality do you emulate?  Whose example(s) do you seek to avoid?

//KEEP IT SIMPLE

With regard to parenting, then, passing ideas & ideals (such as honesty, intellectual integrity, spiritual tenacity, justice & mercy, and LOVE) down to our kids can be tricky in light of the examples their likely given.  I have tried to share my pet ideal (honesty, authenticity) with my oldest, encouraging her to engage her own doubts, questions, etc.  The thing is, though, most kids (and many adults!) would prefer a simpler spirituality.  Take eschatology (which is simply a theological word that has to do with understanding mankind's ultimate destiny), for example. 

Two-Age Eschatology vs. Churchianity

THIS IS NOT THAT
I grew up religiously attending a conservative, evangelical "church" in America.  Ironically, and against statistical odds, the majority of believers I knew back then still profess faith in Jesus today-- although many of them no longer attend such churches, or would consider themselves to be "evangelical", much less "conservative."


I, too, have beat the statistical odds, now having a much larger heart for GOD and neighbor, and a far greater understanding of Christ's kingdom- but I am also like so many of my peers, having hardly any desire to "play church" by attending a weekly service.  Apples and oranges.  This is simply not that found in the NT.


I believe that Jesus' kingdom is far greater than what has been called "church" for so long.  So, for those of us who want to participate in Christ's in-breaking kingdom, what do we do with Christianism, or churchianity?  Shall we ignore it?  Or, should we play along, saying "Well, it could be worse."?

Biblical Universalism - Part 4 The Golden Thread

Here's  Part 1  Part 2  &  Part 3.

Are you aware of the massive recovering of Truth that has taken place in recent years for Christianity? Most Christians are either unaware, or are simply ignoring what many scholars are calling the next great reformation.

“…the entire history of biblical interpretation contains no stranger fact than this persistent ignoring of such a large part of the New Testament.” // M. T. Chamberlain

I’d like to share a bit of what I believe GOD is revealing today in this postmodern awakening. As it turns out, this is nothing “new.” It has been here all along, right up under our noses, a Mystery hidden in plain sight for GOD to reveal in these last days (Col 1:26) to all who have eyes to see (Luke 24:45, Eph 1:17-18).

Did you know that Paul, the writers of the New Testament, as well as the early Church (for the first 400 years) believed and taught that ALL would eventually be reconciled to GOD through Jesus Christ? It’s true! But, don’t take my word for it.