Official RGT random **** thread - Page 101 - Religion, God, and Theology

What do you mean it only has one Romans? Romans 1:18-32 is the passage I was referring to. I do agree with your about the new covenant and spiritual circumcision, and that we are under grace, not under the law, that's the popular interpretation of those things, the only thing I would disagree with you is that Paul decided to go to the gentiles because he was not successful. Remember that he himself was Jew. In Romans 9, Paul explains that it is not the word of God that failed, but that simply being a descendant of Abraham, does not make you a child of God.

Re Romans, my mistake, I read Romans 1 as 1 Romans for some reason.

As far as Paul's decision to focus on the Gentiles I got that from Acts (which I'm not going to re-read). It seemed that he originally thought that the Jews would be his best audience bec of prophecy that they would be familiar w/, had some success, but found most would not let go of the law and decided to preach to the Gentiles where he found much greater acceptance.

What's also interesting in the rest of the letters is the apparent conflict in the early church. This is of minor interest to me and I may or may not look into it.

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06-04-2014 , 09:45 PM

#2502

Naked_Rectitude

veteran

Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 2,312

Quote:

Originally Posted by Howard Beale

The conflicts are interesting, I agree, that they were arguing about things that we now take for granted as obvious truths within Christianity. Even the argument between Paul and Barnabas is interesting, as well as Paul and Peter. It puts a real human spin on everything.

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06-04-2014 , 11:28 PM

#2503

BeaucoupFish

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 4,575

Regarding strong atheism, I don't know that atheists describes themselves overall that way, but they do call themselves strong atheists wrt specific theologies (e.g. the Christian God of an inerrant Bible). I think this notion comes up in that thread.

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06-25-2014 , 11:55 PM

#2504

BeaucoupFish

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 4,575

On this day (June 25th) "In 1962, the U.S. Supreme Court, in Engel v. Vitale, ruled 6-1 that recitation of a state-sponsored prayer in New York State public schools was unconstitutional."

("wiki")

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07-02-2014 , 04:31 PM

#2505

tame_deuces

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Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 18,074

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeaucoupFish

By that logic almost every theist also follows strong atheism. That is mildly interesting, not completely wrong but not a good description either.

However, the real problem arises when you say that this theist is therefore a strong atheist.

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07-10-2014 , 10:43 AM

#2506

well named

poorly undertitled

Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 78,078

So I picked up a textbook and some flash cards and I am attempting to learn greek (mostly biblical greek). The last time I decided I was going to learn a language it didn't go so hot, but wish me luck :P

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07-10-2014 , 11:47 AM

#2507

Husker

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Quote:

Originally Posted by well named

I think it's easier if there's some sort of goal at the end of it. I started learning Italian after I'd booked a holiday to Rome and that gave me added motivation.

Good luck.

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07-10-2014 , 11:50 AM

#2508

well named

poorly undertitled

Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 78,078

the goal is clearly to be able to nit people to death in any and all exegetical conversations

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07-10-2014 , 12:00 PM

#2509

DeuceKicker

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 5,359

Quote:

Originally Posted by well named

Καλὴ τύχη!

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07-10-2014 , 12:17 PM

#2510

Husker

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Quote:

Originally Posted by well named

the goal is clearly to be able to nit people to death in any and all exegetical conversations

That should do it

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07-10-2014 , 04:48 PM

#2511

Original Position

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Aren't there a whole bunch of Itunes U courses on learning Biblical Greek? Have you thought about using them?

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07-10-2014 , 05:07 PM

#2512

tame_deuces

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Quote:

Originally Posted by well named

the goal is clearly to be able to nit people to death in any and all exegetical conversations

Remember that a lot of the first torah translations were done by people who originally spoke hebrew. Biblical Greek might not be enough for truly diehard nitting.

Spoiler:

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07-10-2014 , 05:45 PM

#2513

well named

poorly undertitled

Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 78,078

Quote:

Originally Posted by Original Position

Aren't there a whole bunch of Itunes U courses on learning Biblical Greek? Have you thought about using them?

no idea, I'll have to check it out. I bought "Basics of Biblical Greek" and a set of flash cards that goes with it. I generally have a much easier time with books and looking at things than listening, although the listening would obviously be good for pronunciation

tame: good call imo.

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07-11-2014 , 11:38 AM

#2514

All-In Flynn

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I bought Wheelock's Latin and a dictionary some months ago. Gathering dust. I lack motivation.

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07-11-2014 , 12:02 PM

#2515

dereds

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Quote:

Originally Posted by All-In Flynn

I bought Wheelock's Latin and a dictionary some months ago. Gathering dust. I lack motivation.

I bought a teach yourself Irish book when I moved over here, it's found more use as a mouse mat

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07-16-2014 , 02:11 PM

#2516

loK2thabrain

Tiger > Jack

Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 23,203

Is Jibs a non-believer yet?

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07-17-2014 , 07:23 AM

#2517

Hopey

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Quote:

Originally Posted by loK2thabrain

Is Jibs a non-believer yet?

Hard to say. He has made a grand total of 1 post in RGT in 2014.

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07-17-2014 , 11:34 AM

#2518

loK2thabrain

Tiger > Jack

Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 23,203

Ah, cheers.

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07-22-2014 , 07:02 PM

#2519

Jibninjas

Stuck in a While loop

Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 11,612

Quote:

Originally Posted by loK2thabrain

Is Jibs a non-believer yet?

lol, where did this come from?

FTR, while my beliefs continue to evolve as I am presented with new evidence and what I think is a better understanding of various things, I still believe that God exists. In fact, I am probably more confident in my belief that God exists than ever. Although, what that God wants from us and what/how he has revealed himself has changed greatly over the years. But you are always welcome to show me why I am wrong

Also, I apologize for being a fairly absentee mod, I went back to school at the beginning of the year so I have even less time then I had before.

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07-23-2014 , 01:04 PM

#2520

loK2thabrain

Tiger > Jack

Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 23,203

I didn't mean for it to come off as rude but see now my wording was fairly blunt.

I've just thought about you from time to time and thought I'd ask if anything major has changed for you. I've always been curious about the evolution of religious beliefs of really intelligent people. That's all, nothing malicious.

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07-23-2014 , 03:35 PM

#2521

Jibninjas

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Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 11,612

Quote:

Originally Posted by loK2thabrain

Sorry for the confusion, I did NOT take it as blunt or rude at all! I am a very "matter of fact" type person so a statement presented in that way is standard for me. It just seemed to be random given that I haven't been on the forum much for so long. I was more asking what prompted you to think about it. Thanks for the compliment

I agree, I also find it interesting to follow the beliefs of intelligent people. If you care to think deeply and rationally about a belief it is inevitable that it will change over time. The interesting part is in what direction and how it changes.

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07-23-2014 , 05:13 PM

#2522

All-In Flynn

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Jibninjas

I went back to school at the beginning of the year so I have even less time then I had before.

Congrats - what are you doing? Apart from thrashing whippersnappers at beer pong obv.

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07-23-2014 , 09:03 PM

#2523

Jibninjas

Stuck in a While loop

Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 11,612

Quote:

Originally Posted by All-In Flynn

Congrats - what are you doing? Apart from thrashing whippersnappers at beer pong obv.

Lol. I am actually doing it online. I work too much to do it otherwise. I am getting my degree in IT with an emphasis in software. Something I should have done a long time ago.

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07-23-2014 , 10:29 PM

#2524

loK2thabrain

Tiger > Jack

Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 23,203

Nice. My brother has been a software developer for about 3 years now. He started his 4 year degree when he was 28 having been in the air force for ~9 years. He just got a raise that took him over the $100k threshold. :thumbup: