The Mail Bag
You have questions…occasionally I have answers…..
What kind of cat is Liam?
A damn fine one.
You will not find anyone who cares less about what breed a cat is than me. In fact, the question offends me because it implies some cats have more value than others based on their pedigree. Do not bring that mess around me…it will not end well for you…
I do think his mama was cheating with a Maine Coon at some point…
Is the Geneva Bible a good Bible?
I am dumbfounded at the number of times I’ve been asked this lately…someone must be pushing this again.
In its time, the Geneva Bible was a great Bible for English speaking Protestants, especially the Reformed.
The study notes were by Calvin himself.
It only fell out of favor when King James authorized his version because he wanted a Bible that was more supportive of the throne. Translation wise, I think it was a better translation than the KJV.
Having said all that… virtually any modern Bible is a better translation than either the Geneva or the KJV.
We have better (older) manuscripts and a much better handle of the ancient languages today.
If you’re interested in the Geneva Bible because you think it’s “purer” than the modern versions, you’re just playing a game to feel like you’re better than someone else.
I own one,(maybe a couple) but it would take me an hour to find it and I don’t care enough to make the effort.
What Bible version do you use in your church?
We use the NLT .(shock)
We used to use the ESV when I was truly Reformed and very much a snob ,but I saw Rob Murphy using the NLT and was intrigued.
The more I engaged with it the more I loved it for teaching.
I use a bunch of versions when I’m preparing….but my two favorite Bibles are a purple covered NLT and a Schuyler I was gifted that I can’t keep my hands off of.
The very best Bible version is the one you can’t keep your hands off of…
When I’m doing devotions or just reading, I often use the NRSV…my second favorite version.
Why are you so dishonest about your political beliefs? Just say you’re a liberal Democrat and stop pretending it’s all about Jesus.
Because I’d be lying.
15 years ago I would have identified as a centrist Democrat because I was a Kennedy/ Humphrey Democrat or a Tom McCall/Mark Hatfield Republican. (Oregon legends)
Neither party now resembles how I identified them for most of my life.
I do not identify with either outfit now, because both are run by extremes and neither comes close to a biblical worldview in totality.
I am vehemently disgusted by Donald Trump and believe Christian nationalism is just another form of idolatry.
That does not necessarily mean I support anyone else.
I do measure everything with Jesus…
How can you reject inerrancy and consider yourself a biblical Christian? What is your view of the Scriptures?
The Bible does have error and contradictions and all manner of odd stuff that belies “inerrancy”.
I am a very serious Anglican and I do hold to the 39 Articles of our faith.
VI. Of the Sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures for Salvation.
Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation: so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man, that it should be believed as an article of the Faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation. In the name of the Holy Scripture we do understand those canonical Books of the Old and New Testament, of whose authority was never any doubt in the Church.
I believe the Scriptures are inspired and authoritative in matters of faith…when interpreted correctly.
That’s where the rubber hits the road…
Chances are that I read them a lot more than those asking the questions…
Besides good intentions, what else is the road to hell paved with?
“Besides good intentions, what else is the road to hell paved with?”
Old “Maranatha” CD’s…
OMGoodness, that was funny!
This was an awesome and thank you for it! My boss told me he thought Imzadi might have been half Bengal when she was a kitten based on her markings and her size. She might be, I don’t know. I do know that whenever I’m spending too much time on social media she either meows at me to put the phone down or just stares at me in kitty disgust until I feel her eyes burning through my soul, at which point, I obediently put my phone down and start spending time with her, realizing that no matter what kind of cat she is, she is a smart one that loves her mama.
Wouldn’t all Bibles, short of the satanic one or the masonic one be good Bibles? I have a 1611 KJV that I have fun trying to read, a NKJV from the CC programming days, an ESV that is my go-to, and I like to refer to the message Bible when I’m feeling wordy. I’ve come to the conclusion, no matter which one I’m reading, God can and does get His point across.
I wholeheartedly agree with you on the left/right thing. I would have never considered you a liberal democrate any more than I would have considered myself a conservative republican. If people are going to be so “side-picky” how about we go the way of a thinking democrat or a loving republican or how about we get off the stupid teeter-totter of this two-party system stuff and finally come to grips with the fact that corruption is corruption and it can happen to anyone, no matter how righteous you start off. And just because a narcissist (Trump) tells you things you want to hear and maybe even does a few things that might have benefited in the past, he can, and will, and has, just like everyone else, turn on a dime and do what is best in his own interest, without concern for anyone else, as he believe himself to be “the chosen one”. And worshipping a country or a leader is idolatry. Our country is Heaven and our leader is Jesus. Period. Worship that.
Enjoy your evening with Liam and the Scriptures of your choice. You are so appreciated!!!!
Kristi,
Thank you!
Yes…our cats are the kind that love us and we love back…
Any orthodox bible you read is a good bible…even “The Message”…
The politics thing just baffles me…hopefully I won’t have to answer anymore questions about it.
“Why are you so dishonest about your political beliefs?”
I must commend you for your gracious answer to that overloaded question.
“Old “Maranatha” CD’s…”
Hey now, there’s a small handful of good songs in there. I still laughed though.
Kristi: “…worshipping a country or a leader is idolatry. Our country is Heaven and our leader is Jesus. Period. Worship that.”
I’ll tack an AMEN on to that!
I hear you on the “Tom McCall/Mark Hatfield Republican” category.
CK,
The political question is a constant…and that answer is never sufficient.
WTH,
Old Oregon politicians ( I left out Wayne Morse by accident) had a conscience and took good care of our state.
New ones…not so much…
I loved Hatfield because he took the Faith and his calling as Senator seriously.
He was one of the first to oppose our involvement in Vietnam. That and other “liberal” positions earned him the wrath of conservative Xns back in the day. He got all kinds of letters from them that began, “Dear S—head.”
Some things never change…
Good to see your well-reasoned response Michael to the political question/accusation that you get all the time.
I still see the Bible through the lens of my favorite author, Christopher Hitchens. I may be damned in the eyes of most Christians as a result, but I have learned to not care about that anymore.
I don’t view Christianity as a good thing in almost any way. Nor Islam, Judaism. The filth they leave behind stinks too much. They cost too many lives, ruined too many lives, wiped the brains of too many lives. So did the book worship. I do stand by that statement, book worship.
The inerrancy of the actions of the church in the name of book worshipers is what slaughtered countless people.
Reuben,
The book didn’t cause the problems…people with issues used the book.
There is much to plumb here, but not today…I think I’m going back to bed.
Feel like someone beat me up in my sleep…
Have good sleep!
Question for Michael,
Who do you like today? I will go out on a limb and take KC to win as underdog.
Phil,
I’m rooting for KC…but I think the loss of linemen on both sides of the ball will ruin them…SF by at least 7. I hope I’m wrong…