I imagine that you know the NT far better than I do - or ever will since I've never read it & never intend to.... Isn't there something about being humble and not rubbing your faith in other peoples faces? I'm pretty sure Jesus must have said something about not being a jerk (paraphrasing obviously...)
Humility... Not being a student of the bible I'm sure there are better extracts - but this from proverbs seemed apt:
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth. Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips. (Proverbs 27 1-2)
As for the NT I found this quote from Matthew:
"But the greatest among you shall be your servant. "And whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted. (Matthew 23:11-12)
I'm sure a theologian will argue that they are taken out of context.. but it seems indicative to me that bragging is contrary to the lessons in the bible. Or, in Paul's terms, 'Don't be a jerk about it'!
Now I am not talking about all believers or any one in particular - that's what the cartoon (which is the topic of this post is suggessting). it is for each of us to decide if recognise this behaviour in ourselves or others.
I like this one, too. I linked to your myths of Atheism post (I hope you don'tmind, I can't remember if I asked first) and I am finding the response interesting.
united said: I linked to your myths of Atheism post (I hope you don't mind, I can't remember if I asked first) and I am finding the response interesting.
Link away.... Thanks.
I'm glad that you're finding things of interest here.
Yet *rca* clearly said: Now I am not talking about all believers or any one in particular - that's what the cartoon (which is the topic of this post is suggessting). it is for each of us to decide if recognise this behaviour in ourselves or others.
Let me make it even more clear. I am guilty of all those things. I recognize this behavior in myself. I do not do the good I want, but the bad I do not want is what I keep on doing. As good as I may appear to be, I know that I am a moral failure. What can be done? I think my only hope is that when my turn comes to stand before God, the person he sees before Him is NOT me.
Wow. If you don't like the person that you are - or want to stop the bad things you're doing... why don't you chose to change? Maybe that's where your hope is?
The more I change the more I find to change. And sometimes when I think I've changed, the change turns out to be superficial and under certain circumstances my true nature is exposed. The only way I could find hope along that route is by self-delusion.
As a Christian, I acknowledge that there is a perfect, external, and unchanging moral standard that judges me. I am compelled to behave according to it but I discover that I can't.
The Apostle Paul, when he was called Saul of Tarsus, considered himself a perfect moral example, and that's when he was killing Christians. Then after his conversion, when he was now being persecuted, he considered himself "the chief of sinners".
I remember an interview in which Bob Dylan was asked if his new-found Christianity made things easier for him. He answered, "Not necessarily."
Cartoon Time.
Uh-oh. Where is that part?
ReplyDeletelaughing boy asked: Where is *that* part?
ReplyDeleteI imagine that you know the NT far better than I do - or ever will since I've never read it & never intend to.... Isn't there something about being humble and not rubbing your faith in other peoples faces? I'm pretty sure Jesus must have said something about not being a jerk (paraphrasing obviously...)
Humility... Not being a student of the bible I'm sure there are better extracts - but this from proverbs seemed apt:
ReplyDeleteDo not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth. Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips. (Proverbs 27 1-2)
As for the NT I found this quote from Matthew:
"But the greatest among you shall be your servant. "And whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted. (Matthew 23:11-12)
I'm sure a theologian will argue that they are taken out of context.. but it seems indicative to me that bragging is contrary to the lessons in the bible. Or, in Paul's terms, 'Don't be a jerk about it'!
Welcome back rca.... We've missed you!
ReplyDeleteLOTS of philosophical stuff coming up soon to get your teeth into..... So stick around.
In what ways are believers 'jerks' about their belief (as opposed to being jerks in general)? List the top five or so.
ReplyDeleteSelf-righteous
ReplyDeleteSmug
Condescending
Judgemental
Patronising
Now I am not talking about all believers or any one in particular - that's what the cartoon (which is the topic of this post is suggessting). it is for each of us to decide if recognise this behaviour in ourselves or others.
I like this one, too. I linked to your myths of Atheism post (I hope you don'tmind, I can't remember if I asked first) and I am finding the response interesting.
ReplyDeleteunited said: I linked to your myths of Atheism post (I hope you don't mind, I can't remember if I asked first) and I am finding the response interesting.
ReplyDeleteLink away.... Thanks.
I'm glad that you're finding things of interest here.
Hahahha! Hey rca!!
ReplyDeleteLong time, no see.
This joke is rad.
Self-righteous, Smug, Condescending, Judgemental, Patronising
ReplyDeleteThat's me!
laughing boy said:
ReplyDeleteSelf-righteous, Smug, Condescending, Judgemental, Patronising.....That's me!
Yet *rca* clearly said: Now I am not talking about all believers or any one in particular - that's what the cartoon (which is the topic of this post is suggessting). it is for each of us to decide if recognise this behaviour in ourselves or others.
Hey Sadie, problems with google, blogger and buying a house have rather kept me occupied - and you've closed your blog I am sorry to see :-(
ReplyDeleteAs I clearly said, that's me!
ReplyDeleteLet me make it even more clear. I am guilty of all those things. I recognize this behavior in myself. I do not do the good I want, but the bad I do not want is what I keep on doing. As good as I may appear to be, I know that I am a moral failure. What can be done? I think my only hope is that when my turn comes to stand before God, the person he sees before Him is NOT me.
laughing boy said: As I clearly said, that's me!
ReplyDeleteWow. If you don't like the person that you are - or want to stop the bad things you're doing... why don't you chose to change? Maybe that's where your hope is?
The more I change the more I find to change. And sometimes when I think I've changed, the change turns out to be superficial and under certain circumstances my true nature is exposed. The only way I could find hope along that route is by self-delusion.
ReplyDeleteAs a Christian, I acknowledge that there is a perfect, external, and unchanging moral standard that judges me. I am compelled to behave according to it but I discover that I can't.
The Apostle Paul, when he was called Saul of Tarsus, considered himself a perfect moral example, and that's when he was killing Christians. Then after his conversion, when he was now being persecuted, he considered himself "the chief of sinners".
I remember an interview in which Bob Dylan was asked if his new-found Christianity made things easier for him. He answered, "Not necessarily."
You've certainly picked a hard road for yourself laughing boy...
ReplyDeleteGood luck to you.
The most important thing about a road is where it leads.
ReplyDelete