Zing
To the surprise of hopefully no one, I don't read too many Christian blogs. The one I follow constantly though, is the Slacktivist. Fred Clark is always thoughtful, insightful, usually funny, empathetic, and has interesting points. Today's post is no exception, to the point that I had to quote my favorite parts here:
Jesus entered into fellowship with Zacchaeus. [...] And look what happened next:
Zacchaeus ... said to the Lord, "Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much."
Then Jesus said to him, "Today salvation*** has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost."
*** Jesus once again is using the word "salvation" in a way most American Christians can scarcely recognize. Ask a hundred American evangelists what you must do to receive salvation and I'll wager that not one of them says, "Give half of your possessions to the poor, and if you have defrauded anyone of anything, pay them back four times as much." What that suggests, obviously, is that Jesus didn't have a firm grasp on the orthodox Doctrine of Salvation.
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Dr. Brief: Where did you get that muffin?
Goku: Muffin button.
Dr. Brief: I didn't include a muffin button!
Goku, confused: Then where did I get this muffin?
Jesus entered into fellowship with Zacchaeus. [...] And look what happened next:
Zacchaeus ... said to the Lord, "Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much."
Then Jesus said to him, "Today salvation*** has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost."
*** Jesus once again is using the word "salvation" in a way most American Christians can scarcely recognize. Ask a hundred American evangelists what you must do to receive salvation and I'll wager that not one of them says, "Give half of your possessions to the poor, and if you have defrauded anyone of anything, pay them back four times as much." What that suggests, obviously, is that Jesus didn't have a firm grasp on the orthodox Doctrine of Salvation.
!----------------
Dr. Brief: Where did you get that muffin?
Goku: Muffin button.
Dr. Brief: I didn't include a muffin button!
Goku, confused: Then where did I get this muffin?