Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Posted
1 hour ago, Vegas64 said:

Nice.

"An evil and adulterous generation" we, too, are. Turtles all the way down.

Honestly it’s a nice summation of the problem with American evangelical Christianity. They don’t just want to ride their camel through the eye of the needle, they also want a police escort and a marching band. 

  • Hook 'Em 6
  • Like 1
Posted
6 minutes ago, Bozo_Casanova said:

Honestly it’s a nice summation of the problem with American evangelical Christianity. They don’t just want to ride their camel through the eye of the needle, they also want a police escort and a marching band. 

100% agree. American Christianity is a lazy, fat cat from lapping at the easy dish of cream.

Christianity has always thrived when it was practiced in the margins in, dare I say, persecution. 

Americans (and yours truly) would be wise to heed Isaiah 1:22, "Your silver has become dross..."

Posted
3 minutes ago, Vegas64 said:

100% agree. American Christianity is a lazy, fat cat from lapping at the easy dish of cream.

Christianity has always thrived when it was practiced in the margins in, dare I say, persecution. 

Americans (and yours truly) would be wise to heed Isaiah 1:22, "Your silver has become dross..."

Are you saying American Evangelicals don't believe they're being persecuted, sir?

  • Haha 1
Posted
9 minutes ago, SydneyCarton said:

Are you saying American Evangelicals don't believe they're being persecuted, sir?

Deep in their hearts, most of them know better, but their entire worldview is built on victimhood.  They need to at least feel persecuted, or the magic doesn't work, and more importantly, the money doesn't flow.

  • Hook 'Em 3
Posted
On 7/8/2025 at 5:34 PM, MissingInAction said:

I can see the sun and stars. Mythical gods not so much.

Theres a great series on Netflix,  Our Universe,narrated by Morgan Freeman which does an incredible job illustrating our connection to a higher power. That power being the sun and the stars.

I find it fascinating that nearly all of the hydrogen in the universe was created soon after the Big Bang. So when people say "We are stardust" they should say "We are Big Bang matter and stardust." 

That would have been harder to Jodi Mitchell to rhyme though.

Posted
1 minute ago, Brisketexan said:

 

Was it set for GMT?  Or at the international dateline?  I never follow these things.

lol I think it actually was expanded to September 23rd or 24th due to the fact nobody knows if Jesus uses GMT, UMT, Epoch or Daylight Saving Time.

  • Hook 'Em 1
Posted
4 minutes ago, F250 said:

lol I think it actually was expanded to September 23rd or 24th due to the fact nobody knows if Jesus uses GMT, UMT, Epoch or Daylight Saving Time.

Do we even know if He uses the Julian calendar?  Maybe He has His eyes on Chinese new year.  Or that tricky Mayan calendar.

  • Fuck Around and Find Out 1
Posted
Serious answer: The rapture isn't biblical. 
Blame the Left Behind Series in the 90's

Well, the idea was born with one wackadoo preacher in the 1830s, then got traction with one wackadoo annotated bible in the early 1900s. And yeah, it’s not in the Bible. It’s dumb as shit.
But that’s the brand for American Christianity these days. Dumb when it’s not being cruel, and cruel when it’s not being dumb, but often…both at the same time.
  • Hook 'Em 3
Posted
38 minutes ago, Brisketexan said:


Well, the idea was born with one wackadoo preacher in the 1830s, then got traction with one wackadoo annotated bible in the early 1900s. And yeah, it’s not in the Bible. It’s dumb as shit.
But that’s the brand for American Christianity these days. Dumb when it’s not being cruel, and cruel when it’s not being dumb, but often…both at the same time.

There were a lot of wackadoo's in the history of Christianity. Once Luther let loose the idea of individual interpretation, the Christian religion was destined to become fractured and to become an umbrella of different opposing religions, all within the guise of "Christianity."  Western Christianity is a DIY project. 

Posted
9 minutes ago, F250 said:

There were a lot of wackadoo's in the history of Christianity. Once Luther let loose the idea of individual interpretation, the Christian religion was destined to become fractured and to become an umbrella of different opposing religions, all within the guise of "Christianity."  Western Christianity is a DIY project. 

Which is why I think Reggie White had a good idea and was on a good path before he died to try and learn the original languages and read the original translations for himself. I mean, it's a crazy idea, but kinda cool if you are a multimillionaire and retired with nothing else better to do.

At the very least the Greeks have an upperhand in they can read Greek transcripts and not the butchered NLT or NLV's of contemporary english.

Posted

Original text/language is really cool, and I have realized, super important.
When my wife preaches, she takes the time to do real exegesis of the scripture that’s the basis for that week’s sermon. And she does a good bit of it in the Greek, and will end up talking to me about what particular word was used, its unique meaning, and how that has a subtle effect on the interpretation of the text. It kinda blows me away.
Or, she could be totally bullshiting me, because I can’t read koine Greek for shit.

Posted
2 minutes ago, Vegas64 said:

Which is why I think Reggie White had a good idea and was on a good path before he died to try and learn the original languages and read the original translations for himself. I mean, it's a crazy idea, but kinda cool if you are a multimillionaire and retired with nothing else better to do.

At the very least the Greeks have an upperhand in they can read Greek transcripts and not the butchered NLT or NLV's of contemporary english.

Well, that and Greek pagan philosophy heavily infiltrated the Roman Catholic Church via Augustine and Aquinas so much that it shaped Protestant theology to the point that it was mere reactionism. 

Protestantism is just a reaction to earlier Protestantism (Great Schism). Look to the East for true Christianity. The rest of us our just cos playing.

Posted
7 hours ago, F250 said:

Well, that and Greek pagan philosophy heavily infiltrated the Roman Catholic Church via Augustine and Aquinas so much that it shaped Protestant theology to the point that it was mere reactionism. 

Protestantism is just a reaction to earlier Protestantism (Great Schism). Look to the East for true Christianity. The rest of us our just cos playing.

Which is why I think when you read Acts and the Paulines, the early church is an interesting model compared to the "church" we see today.

But what really is church anyways? I've always learned that the church isn't a building or a choir or a band or people who only think about God one day a week, but it's you and I. It's this thread and the conversations about faith-- the encouragement and worship that those who have given on here-- because where two or more are gathered...

  • Like 2
Posted
8 hours ago, Brisketexan said:

Original text/language is really cool, and I have realized, super important.
When my wife preaches, she takes the time to do real exegesis of the scripture that’s the basis for that week’s sermon. And she does a good bit of it in the Greek, and will end up talking to me about what particular word was used, its unique meaning, and how that has a subtle effect on the interpretation of the text. It kinda blows me away.
Or, she could be totally bullshiting me, because I can’t read koine Greek for shit.

After Charlie Kirk died I went and searched out some videos to learn about him more as I'd only known really the name and the caricactures of his gum line and head from here.

I saw this video which I saw was interesting-- mostly the Greek interpretation. I'm not posting this to say he's right (he could be BS'ing for al lI know because I don't know Greek) but it invites debate. The whole video is worth a watch but the timestamp for the Greek is at the 2:19 mark: 

 

Posted
1 hour ago, Vegas64 said:

After Charlie Kirk died I went and searched out some videos to learn about him more as I'd only known really the name and the caricactures of his gum line and head from here.

I saw this video which I saw was interesting-- mostly the Greek interpretation. I'm not posting this to say he's right (he could be BS'ing for al lI know because I don't know Greek) but it invites debate. The whole video is worth a watch but the timestamp for the Greek is at the 2:19 mark: 

 

That....is some bullshit.  Ekklessia does NOT mean "government structure."  Ekklessia is a broad term, meaning gathering of people (generally for a communal/civic purpose).  That was the call -- to create an assembly of people to live and spread the Word.  Hell, that's one of the things I really liked about our church the first time I heard it: "the Church has left the building."  THAT is pretty fucking accurate.  

For him to torture the use of the term, and say that what was called for was "build my government structure" is prooftexting bullshit, AND at odds with both the broad meaning of the word and the overall context.  Did Jesus call for his followers to build a secular government?  Is THAT the message of the gospels?  Fuck no.

I mean, nevermind that the "Christian Nation" these folks talk about always, 100% of the time, seems to skip over the most unambiguous and obvious teachings of, you know....Christ.  You know, really hard to understand stuff, like in Matthew 25:

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’"

Our Christian Nationalists work tirelessly for a government that is in complete opposition to that call.  They are Nationalists.  But the "Christian" part is a cover they use to give their shitty cruelty the "legitimacy" and immunity from criticism of "sincerely held religious belief."  Christianity - that is, the system of beliefs offered by Christ - has few greater enemies than American Christians.

  • Hook 'Em 8
  • Like 1
Posted
20 minutes ago, Jkwellborn said:

I think about that verse 40 a lot.

We all do.  Or we all should, at least.

I am pretty damned sure that on my deathbed, I'll be asking myself "did I do enough?", and I'm also pretty damned sure my answer will be "not nearly enough."  I'm a failed Christian.  And even though I know that we all are - the best people I know are - intellectually, that doesn't matter.

It's actually a long conversation I had with my son when he was home this summer, because he holds himself to a higher standard and beats himself up more than I do.  And I ended up having to be the voice of reason on the subject (which was a good exercise for me).  Had to tell him to give himself some grace, and to realize that his small acts of kindness (which aren't small at all) MATTER.  You don't have to "save the whole world."  You can't.  And you have to give yourself some grace, and breathing room for your own happiness and well-being.  And I try to remember what I told him, and take it to heart myself.

But I'm a tough grader.  And by my grading, I suck, and fall way short of what I do for "the least of these."

  • Like 2
Posted
On 9/16/2025 at 1:57 PM, Ten Bears said:

I find it fascinating that nearly all of the hydrogen in the universe was created soon after the Big Bang. So when people say "We are stardust" they should say "We are Big Bang matter and stardust." 

That would have been harder to Jodi Mitchell to rhyme though.

That song is such a banger. Ironically, Joni Mitchell was not at Woodstock, because her manager thought it would be better for her career to go on Dick Cavett that day. 

  • Like 1
Posted
Original text/language is really cool, and I have realized, super important.
When my wife preaches, she takes the time to do real exegesis of the scripture that’s the basis for that week’s sermon. And she does a good bit of it in the Greek, and will end up talking to me about what particular word was used, its unique meaning, and how that has a subtle effect on the interpretation of the text. It kinda blows me away.
Or, she could be totally bullshiting me, because I can’t read koine Greek for shit.

But didn't the dude speak Aramaic, so the translation is probably wrong from the get go. Not to mention everyone forgot to write down what he said for decades. You know who was writing everything down then? The Chinese. Jesus should have been a China man. Good luck with that southern baptists.
  • Haha 2
Posted
1 minute ago, DaysOff said:


But didn't the dude speak Aramaic, so the translation is probably wrong from the get go. Not to mention everyone forgot to write down what he said for decades. You know who was writing everything down then? The Chinese. Jesus should have been a China man. Good luck with that southern baptists.

Also accurate.

Although I dunno about how well it woulda worked out if Jesus was a China man.  I mean, he'd have done all that profound stuff at the Last Supper, and then had to do it all over again a coupla hours later cuz he was hungry again.

  • Like 2
  • Haha 1
Posted
1 minute ago, Brisketexan said:

Also accurate.

Although I dunno about how well it woulda worked out if Jesus was a China man.  I mean, he'd have done all that profound stuff at the Last Supper, and then had to do it all over again a coupla hours later cuz he was hungry again.

Bitch of a fortune cookie, too. 

  • Haha 3
Posted
10 hours ago, Brisketexan said:

Or, she could be totally bullshiting me, because I can’t read koine Greek for shit.

I don't really know Greek, but I do know a bunch of intricate cusswords you can use back at her.

Posted
1 minute ago, RDCanecutter said:

I don't really know Greek, but I do know a bunch of intricate cusswords you can use back at her.

Wouldn't do me much good.  She's got a pretty good repertoire herself.  I mean, she's actually a member of a group called "Ministers who say 'fuck.'"  

  • Hook 'Em 1
  • Like 2
  • Haha 2
Posted
11 hours ago, Brisketexan said:

Original text/language is really cool, and I have realized, super important.
When my wife preaches, she takes the time to do real exegesis of the scripture that’s the basis for that week’s sermon. And she does a good bit of it in the Greek, and will end up talking to me about what particular word was used, its unique meaning, and how that has a subtle effect on the interpretation of the text. It kinda blows me away.
Or, she could be totally bullshiting me, because I can’t read koine Greek for shit.

image.gif.949a5ee332272f8b2a5530f424108458.gif

  • Haha 2
Posted
11 hours ago, F250 said:

There were a lot of wackadoo's in the history of Christianity. Once Luther let loose the idea of individual interpretation, the Christian religion was destined to become fractured and to become an umbrella of different opposing religions, all within the guise of "Christianity."  Western Christianity is a DIY project. 

“I went down, told them to hang out, drink wine, “they split into groups – Catholics, Protestants, “Jesuits, Methodists, Evangelicals, Free Presbyterians, “the Locked-Up Presbyterians. “The Quakers, the Bakers, the Candlestick Makers. “The Mormons are from Mars, Dad, we’ve had it checked out.” “What does the Holy Ghost think of all this?” “He’s useless, got a sheet over his head.” “Whoooo…Holy Ghost! Holy Ghost! “Holy Gho-o-o-ost!” “Holy Ghost, this is not an episode of Scooby-Doo.” “I would’ve succeeded if it wasn’t for that pesky God and Jesus.”

  • Haha 1
Posted (edited)
11 hours ago, F250 said:

Well, that and Greek pagan philosophy heavily infiltrated the Roman Catholic Church via Augustine and Aquinas so much that it shaped Protestant theology to the point that it was mere reactionism. 

Until I read Karen Armstrong’s History of God I never fully understood how much foundational Roman Catholic theology and Christology was shaped by the effort to conform their understanding of God with the pagan Greek philosophical tradition. Which is … very strange and produces some very weird and frankly pointless debates. 

Edited by Bozo_Casanova
  • Hook 'Em 2
Posted
Just now, Bozo_Casanova said:

Which is … very strange and produces some very weird and frankly pointless debates. 

Christianity is Surlyhorns?  Surlyhorns is Christianity?  Things are starting to make sense.

  • Hook 'Em 1
  • Fuck Around and Find Out 1
Posted

I never figured out making the King James version the hill to die on for the only acceptable translation for some people, as clearly a bunch of early 17th century Englishmen were not the best people to translate the earliest Greek and Aramaic texts.  

I love some of the KJV translations as prose, but not so much as exact meaning of second century scripture. 

  • Hook 'Em 1
Posted
5 minutes ago, Gatorubet said:

I never figured out making the King James version the hill to die on for the only acceptable translation for some people, as clearly a bunch of early 17th century Englishmen were not the best people to translate the earliest Greek and Aramaic texts.  

I love some of the KJV translations as prose, but not so much as exact meaning of second century scripture. 

"If English was good enough for Jesus Christ, it's good enough for me!"

  • Hook 'Em 1
Posted
8 minutes ago, Bozo_Casanova said:

Until I read Karen Armstrong’s History of God I never fully understood how much foundational Roman Catholic theology and Christology was shaped by the effort to conform their understanding of God with the pagan Greek philosophical tradition. Which is … very strange and produces some very weird and frankly pointless debates. 

Paul and the Galatians.  They were Thracian Celtic Gauls - and a warrior society.   you had to appeal to aspects of their culture if you wanted success in conversions.    Like when the church tried to convert Norse/Viking peeps, they tried to emphasize the archangel, Michael and his sword battling a serpent.  And Christmas associated with Yule logs and holly.

 They were not cool with that whole “turn the other cheek and allow yourself to be slaughtered” stuff.

  • Hook 'Em 1
Posted
10 minutes ago, Celery Man said:

Hmm makes you wonder what kind of messaging could be used now to make Christians be receptive to Jesus’ message. 

As a protestant, it is important to ensure that the message be biblically accurate and sound.  For example, a Cowboy Church pastor should try to emulate the same things as the ancient Cowboys in biblical times.

  • Haha 4
Posted
2 hours ago, Vegas64 said:

After Charlie Kirk died I went and searched out some videos to learn about him more as I'd only known really the name and the caricactures of his gum line and head from here.

I saw this video which I saw was interesting-- mostly the Greek interpretation. I'm not posting this to say he's right (he could be BS'ing for al lI know because I don't know Greek) but it invites debate. The whole video is worth a watch but the timestamp for the Greek is at the 2:19 mark: 

 

This dude is a quack and peddling heresy. His explanation of Matthew 16:18 makes absolutely no sense.

Try reading some C.S. Lewis and stop watching Charlie Kirk YouTube videos. 

C.S. Lewis touched on this subject in Mere Christianity where he described what a Christian society would be like if one were to exist. It was nothing like what Kirk is describing in that video. It would be a society guided by Christ's teachings and economically left with a socially Christian culture that isn't forced by the government. 

Lewis, in my opinion does an excellent job of addressing patriotism and nationalism from a Christian perspective in The Four Loves. He addresses Charlie Kirk's assertion regarding one nation being better than all others in the qoute below. 

Quote

I once ventured to say to an old clergyman who was voicing this sort of patriotism, "But, sir, aren't we told that every people thinks its own men the bravest and its own women the fairest in the world?" He replied with total gravity — he could not have been graver if he had been saying the Creed at the altar — "Yes, but in England it's true." To be sure, this conviction had not made my friend (God rest his soul) a villain; only an extremely lovable old ass. It can however produce asses that kick and bite. On the lunatic fringe it may shade off into that popular Racialism which Christianity and science equally forbid.

 

  • Hook 'Em 6
  • Drool 1
Posted
3 hours ago, Vegas64 said:

After Charlie Kirk died I went and searched out some videos to learn about him more as I'd only known really the name and the caricactures of his gum line and head from here.

I saw this video which I saw was interesting-- mostly the Greek interpretation. I'm not posting this to say he's right (he could be BS'ing for al lI know because I don't know Greek) but it invites debate. The whole video is worth a watch but the timestamp for the Greek is at the 2:19 mark: 

 

One thing he said that was bullshit is we were among the first nations to abolish slavery.

We were among the last, particularly among what might be considered enlightened nations.

  • Hook 'Em 3
Posted
Just now, TwiceHorn said:

One thing he said that was bullshit is we were among the first nations to abolish slavery.

We were among the last, particularly among what might be considered enlightened nations.

That is basic history, which most people in this country can’t be bothered with. 

Posted
Just now, TwiceHorn said:

One thing he said that was bullshit is we were among the first nations to abolish slavery.

We were among the last, particularly among what might be considered enlightened nations.

The British fucking colonies beat us to the punch by a couple decades.

  • Hook 'Em 2
Posted
1 minute ago, TwiceHorn said:

One thing he said that was bullshit is we were among the first nations to abolish slavery.

We were among the last, particularly among what might be considered enlightened nations.

And....we had to fight the bloodiest war in hour history to get to that resolution.  And then afterwards, we built monuments to the people who fought brutally to maintain the institution of slavery (and yes, that's why they were fighting, read each state's declaration of secession which fucking SAYS that was the reason).  And now, Charlie's team is fighting like hell to keep those monuments to the people who fought to maintain slavery UP AND IN THE PUBLIC SQUARE.  For being someone so proud that we abolished slavery....they sure fight hard to venerate the treasonous bastards in our country who killed hundreds of thousands of Americans trying to KEEP slavery.

  • Hook 'Em 1
Posted
3 minutes ago, aggie08 said:

The British fucking colonies beat us to the punch by a couple decades.

I will observe that the American thing was different in that most European nations had slavery outside their national borders, in colonies, where it was "out of sight, out of mind" for the most part.

That doesn't make it any better for us, just a little different, and maybe worse.

Posted
14 minutes ago, TwiceHorn said:

I will observe that the American thing was different in that most European nations had slavery outside their national borders, in colonies, where it was "out of sight, out of mind" for the most part.

That doesn't make it any better for us, just a little different, and maybe worse.

Of all the European empires, I believe it was only the Portuguese who abolished slavery in its colonies after the US. The French, Spanish, English, and Dutch all abolished it well before the US throughout their empires.

The fact that they didn't allow that "peculiar institution" in their home countries but "out of sigh, out of mind" in their colonies for a good while longer doesn't negate the fact that they still prohibited it before us.

Posted
23 minutes ago, TwiceHorn said:

I will observe that the American thing was different in that most European nations had slavery outside their national borders, in colonies, where it was "out of sight, out of mind" for the most part.

That doesn't make it any better for us, just a little different, and maybe worse.

Out of curiosity, have you ever read Thoughts Upon Slavery by John Wesley? 

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.



×
×
  • Create New...