Most people who have not read the Christian scriptures have certain ideas not only about what it teaches, but also about the general attitude it comports. They get their ideas from stuffy Christians, boisterous pastors, televangelists and the Left Behind series. This is unsurprising. What is more surprising is that some people who are extremely familiar with the Bible (such as stuffy Christians, boisterous pastors, televangelists and the authors of the Left Behind) also have certain ideas about the overall attitude of the Bible, ideas that are hard to reconcile with the Bible itself.
So here is a collection of statements which, while not materially affecting the core teaching of the Bible, hopefully reflect a more comprehensive view of the attitude of the Bible.
- Never waste good wine (Ecc. 9:7, John 2).
- Adore your spouse while you have the time (Prov. 5:18).
- Sometimes deception overcomes military might (Gen 34).
- As a corollary to number three, if a man tells you that you and all your warriors must be circumcised before you can marry his daughter, don't fall for it.
- In marriage, never go to bed angry (Eph. 4).
- It is a good thing to be wearied from lovemaking (Song 4).
- The government has its uses (Rom 13), but it will still try to make you worship it (Rev 13), and reserves the right to kill you if you refuse.
- As a corollary to number seven, taxes are seldom for the benefit of the taxed (Ecc. 5, 1 Sam 8).
- If you are going to sin, sin as baldly as possible. Don't steal from the bank, steal the bank itself (Luke 16).
- Revenge seldom makes you feel better, and most often just makes you look like an ass (Judges 15).
What do you think? Do these pieces of lifestyle advice fit well with your understanding of the Biblical worldview? Which ones do not resonate? What advice from the Bible would you add to the list?
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Comments (11)
I think the numbering formatting got lost after #5
Overall most of it works with my understanding of the Biblical
worldview. I'm not so sure the Bible is really that down on government.
I wish more christians took all of the Bible into account and not just the popular verses.
@subSacred@xanga - I think the numbering formatting got lost after #5
Fixed it!
do not say the Lord's name in vain (exodus 20:7)
@revelife - I will recommend you for a handsome raise.
#9 - man that's gonna be a tough one. back to the drawing board =/
I'm thinking after 1-5 minus 4, and 10 are perhaps relevant. It' kind of like if book written in the 1950s was read 2,000 years from now and based on that book people believed they had to fight against the Soviet Union even though the Soviet Union stopped existing 2,000 years ago. Life moves forward. Reactionaries don't.
@BriansSong3@xanga - Hear, hear! Context and overall understanding is key for sure. I started to respond to each of the points, but decided it would be better to recommend people do their own studies. To get people started, I'm linking some source material for #1.
http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/books/wine_in_the_bible/1.html
NOTE: Never take anyone's word for what the Bible says or means. Study and read it for yourself! For example, the link I've shown is spot on about wine, but some of his other works fail to adhere to scripture in favor of popular views.Even a lot of non-Christians seem to have these same views. :p I'm almost tempted to show this to a friend of mine, just to see what she thinks. :p
I like the idea of Jesus running around beating people, and throwing tables around because people were dis-honoring his Father in his Father's place of worship.
Application: Jesus is Jealous of our Father in Heaven's glory. He will even fight those who name his Father as their God if they aren't doing it honestly and in a godly way.