Posted by rayww on December 17, 2004, at 14:25:41
In reply to Ancient Near Eastern Covenants, posted by MKB on December 15, 2004, at 0:20:41
This is strange. The TV show I am watching right now as I write is talking about how we judge and condemn others based on traditional doctrine and cultural gospel, or gospel according to our interpretation, rather than the real gospel that Jesus taught. Unrighteous judgements when others don't see or do things the way we do, like thinking a person is the vilest of sinners because he doesn't wash his hands before sitting down to a meal, is one example.
The doctrine of hand washing was used as an example of an ancient ordinance, that doesn't fit with reality judgement.
I love the symbolism of being clean before you do anything, but being clean should be internal, heart/mind/thoughts/attitude/motives thing. If hand washing could be used as a sacred reminder to be clean I could see it, but to judge someone as though he were the vilest of sinners for simply not washing his hands before a meal is taking it too far.What is the background of this ancient custom? Where did it stem from? Can it be traced back to Abraham?
poster:rayww
thread:429741
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faith/20041120/msgs/430882.html