Posted by Lou Pilder on September 24, 2011, at 20:26:51
In reply to Re: righteousness in the Old and New Testament, posted by hyperfocus on September 22, 2011, at 23:30:05
> > I see Jesus' criticisms directed at Jews who weren't being very good Jews. Who weren't living up to the ideals of their Jewish faith. I see Jesus as addressing us all, no matter what our faith, to be better people and to love and serve God with all our hearts. If he addressed Jews in particular, it was because those were his people, and because he loved his people and his God.
>
> This is how I always interpreted the Old Testament and New Testament - I don't see how it can be interpreted differently. I don't see how the events described there can be characterized as indictments against any faith or people. It is the actions of the moneylenders in the temple, and others who were transgressing God's law, who were being hypocritical, which deserved reproach. Just as the actions of Egyptians and Babylonians and Philistines against Israelites brought reproach and judgment from God. I don't think the Old Testament is an indictment against all Egyptians or Caananites or Assyrians or Persians or any peoples, that must endure from ancient to modern-day times. But the logic of the assertion made in this thread about how all Christians presumably view Judaism is the same.
>
> When God made a promise to Abraham that he would spare Sodom even if only a handful of good people were there it, seems he made one of the first of a series of promise that he would never judge a people by the actions of some or even the majority. It goes as far back as Noah and the covenant made with him to not destroy mankind, presumably as long as at least one righteous person existed. One of the major themes that runs through all the terrible bloody conflicts of the Old and New Testaments is that it is the actions of individuals which determine their righteousness in the eyes of God, not their membership in any faith or ethnicity. David was the most exalted king of the Israelites, raised up from a boy as God's own, but God still punished him severely when he committed evil acts. It would be a much, much better world if Christians and Jews and all people everywhere could be judged solely on their individual actions and beliefs. But it's clear we're very, very far from that ideal.hf,
You wrote,[...it is the actions of the money changers in the temple, and others who were transgressing God's law, who were being xxx,..deserved...].
I am unsure as to what you are wanting to mean here. If you could post answers to the following, then I could have the opportunity to respond accordingly.
A. Have you read the passage in question?
B. If not, could you do so?
If you have read the passage;
C. What is the time of year as to why the Jews are buying doves?
D. What are the animals going to be used for?
E. Why were the money changers there?
F. What were the actions of the money changers in question that you say was a transgression of God's law?
H. Is there anything in the passage in question that states that, if you post the {actions} here?
K. what was the hypocracy? Is there anything in the passage that states that?
L. Who were the money changers, if you know?
M. Could there be a meaning to the scene that is unbeknownst to you that (redacted by respondent)
Lou
poster:Lou Pilder
thread:996797
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faith/20101230/msgs/997794.html