Matthew chapter 16, “ . . except the sign of Jonah . . ” — yet another example of more focus on Paul’s letters than on the 3 Synoptic Gospels.

[Multicolored Lemur]

You seem to have the misconception that inspired and literal are opposing terms.

Fewer in U.S. Now See Bible as Literal Word of God

Coinciding with a general decline in religiosity in the U.S., a record-low 20% of Americans now say they believe the Bible is literally true.

news.gallup.com

The first graph has the choice, “Inspired by God, not all to be taken literally,” which they describe as a middle position.

 

[Multicolored Lemur]

This movie has as its theme “unlikely friendship.” And it illustrates my point that ethics is about a lot of specific skills in a lot of different life areas.

 

[Multicolored Lemur]

This movie is about friendship and love. It strongly implies, but does not show, that the characters “Idgie” and “Ruth” are in a lesbian relationship. It also shows helping others if you reasonably can.

And if you can’t due to circumstances, that’s okay, too.

And as far as children watching this movie, ideally that’s up to each parent based on their knowledge of their child’s maturity level. Realistically, kids watch all kinds of stuff away from their parents. This movie I think is a pretty positive portrayal of romance and love. Just good friendship if you don’t read the lesbian aspect into it.

 

[Multicolored Lemur]

In at least one of the Gospels, Jesus said, the Sabbath is for man, not man for the Sabbath.

 

[Multicolored Lemur]

And in 1st Corinthians, the Apostle Paul takes on the issue of food which has been offered to a Pagan god, and the question of whether it’s okay for a Christian to eat this food.

He says, Don’t make a habit of this. But if someone offers you this food in everyday courtesy and friendship, accept the food on these terms, go ahead and eat it, and don’t make a big deal about it. Meaning, it’s a pretty complex and realistic answer.

And I’d say it’s an example of ethics being person-centered, not rule-centered. And/or the purpose of the rules is to connect back to the person-connected aspect.


* please see 1st Corinthians, chapter 10, verses 27 to 33

although there are conflicts in what Paul writes, both right here, and between this and chapters 8 and 9.

Paul is all across the board.

Each of us can sometimes do, but not always. We don’t always find the right thing, or the motivation to do the right thing. Sometimes good enough might really be . . . good enough!

 

[Multicolored Lemur]

Schindler’s List

And it’s too high a standard. For starters, are you skilled at offering bribes to public officials per the norms of your time and place, by taking medium risks but not stupid risks? Probably not, and neither am I.