Quote (Nick Hassan @ Mar. 10 2005,18:19)Hi Caroline, We do not serve ourselves or even logic ultimately. We seek the will of God in our life and He outlines that plan daily for us surely? Has He not made plain what he requires of you yet in this matter? If you got where you find yourself today through being in Jesus and following him and seeking…[Read more]

This isn't about judgement, though. It is clear to us when the most straightforward of God's instructions to us are being flouted. Recognition of sin does not imply judgement of the sinner. Is there any reason to put ourselves into the firing line of the suffering that such behaviour causes? Should we not take whatever preventative measures we…[Read more]

I would add that adult children have a responsibility towards their parents. Bearing one another's burdens also suggests a very wide responsibility for others – but I think you are talking about a responsibility for their behaviour, rather than their protection.It is rather difficult to know how we would want to be treated if we are looking at…[Read more]

Quote (Nick Hassan @ Mar. 08 2005,18:52)Does commonsense suggest a course of action.Who decides what is serious? Is it a matter of the world or the Body of Christ?Should we mind our own business or get involved in judging others?Have we been given responsibility for resolving these issues or does that responsibility belong to others?Will be be…[Read more]

Do you mean that if you can see someone doing something that is seriously – and possibly physically – damaging to someone else, and they know that you believe them to be wrong, you should behave towards them as though there was nothing wrong?I am not talking about not bearing grudges, or being bitter – these are internal issues, and issues between…[Read more]

Quote (Nick Hassan @ Mar. 06 2005,04:34)I grew up on Good News and loved it's simplicity and readability and I am sure many others had their eyes opened to the beauty in the Word through this translation.I still read it when I am feeding my soul and not searching out truth and it still speaks to me.I agree entirely, Nick. I use the Good News,…[Read more]

I have always believed that the books of the Apocrypha should be used as any spiritual book written by man – with discernment, judging all we read by what we know from the Bible.There are truly inspiring passages in some of the books, and I cannot believe that such inspiration is not God-given in at least the same way as the inspiring poetry…[Read more]

I don't know much about world religions, although I do have a degree in Christian Theology. I can see the appeal of a one world religion, but it seems to me that this would have to be completely manufactured.The backgrounds, biographies, teachings, chronologies etc of the main religious figures would not allow for them to have genuinely been the…[Read more]

Quote (t8 @ Jan. 07 2005,05:43)Quote (Caroline @ Jan. 07 2005,10:38)Surely it is the person who matters.  A rose by any other name etc.I think that by getting hung up on a name we run the risk of concentrating on the letter of the law, as the Pharisees did, rather than the spirit of the law, which Jesus taught us was the only  important thing.  …[Read more]

I have just read the book, and I do agree with Surgeon83 that the big problem is the way we are led to believe that a lot of the contents are factual.  There is a page at the beginning laying out carefully selected facts, which could very easily lead to people accepting the vast majority of the book as factual.  I spent a lot of time flipping b…[Read more]

Surely it is the person who matters.  A rose by any other name etc.I think that by getting hung up on a name we run the risk of concentrating on the letter of the law, as the Pharisees did, rather than the spirit of the law, which Jesus taught us was the only  important thing.  God hears your meaning when you pray, rather than just listening to th…[Read more]