February 05, 2004

God's unchanging law

I'm guessing this one comes from a radio show, though I think it's been around in one form or another for a while now. As usual, if this is yours, email me to take it down.

As Heard On Friday, January, 31, 2003: Letter to Dr. Laura from a Bob and Sheri listener!
Dear Dr. Laura:
Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. For example, when someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate.
However, I do need some advice from you regarding some of the other specific laws and how to follow them.
1. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord (Lev.1:9). The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?
2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?
3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness - Lev.15:19-24. The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.
4. Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?
5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?
6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination (Lev. 11:10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this?
7. Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?
8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev.19:27. How should they die?
9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?
10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev. 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them (Lev.24:10-16)? Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14) I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.
Your devoted fan,
Jim
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Posted by roadnick at February 5, 2004 10:33 PM | TrackBack

Comments

Well, I'm not Dr. Laura by any means, although I do appreciate many of her opinions. I would say that Jim is apparently like me when it comes to reading books - stopping way before reading the end of the story. Oh, I'm currently starting Chapter 4 of your book ASP 3.0... its a good read so far.

Jim's questions are both funny and yet sad, since it is clear that his understanding is limiting his capacity to live free of the frustration that comes from lack of knowledge

Here is a psuedo-quote of some information I found on bible.com that might help Jim out a little:

~Christians do not get the evil punishments that are mentioned in Leviticus. We all deserve death (spiritually speaking), but when we recognize the sacrifice of Jesus, and from the heart we choose to live by His "code" we are no longer under the curse of sickness and death any more. We have power over sin through Jesus' sacrifice.

However, we have to want to overcome the habit of sinning. God will not violate our wills. If we want to keep on sinning after we are saved from the law of sin and death, He will allow us to do so. We need to clearly understand that when we sin, it produces the death principle in our lives.

Although we are children of God and have been given the covenant of blessing, "idols" in our hearts and lives can cause us to be open in some ways to the curse. Those who come under the curses of God are (a) unbelievers and (b)Christians who knowingly and deliberately continue to sin.

Had Jim continued to read the full story he would already know the answers to ALL of his questions. Here are two items from the other end of the Bible that you might pass on to Jim.

"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death" (Romans 8:2).

"Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith" (Galatians 3:13-14).

I am hoping that when I finish reading the ASP book I will be less in the dark about ASP and know the "truth that will set me free" to code in ASP!

Posted by: CRS at March 10, 2004 02:48 PM
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