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21 April 2004: Questions from the Readers: Passion of the Christ, Christian Reformation
Dear Readers, This week I want to get to your questions for a change. I had so many questions on the series on The Passion of the Christ that I could fill up weeks trying to deal with them. However many of them were similar, so I have tried to weave them all into a …
Q & A:
What is the origin of all those biblical admonitions about women being subservient to men?
14 April 2004: The Bible and Homosexuality – The Church’s Dance in the 21st Century – Part 3
“They glorified God not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened (Romans 1:21 KJV).” “For this cause God gave them up into vile affections; for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving …
Q & A:
When you preside at the Eucharist are there words or phrases that, when saying, you either "cross your fingers" or cannot say?
7 April 2004: The Bible and Homosexuality – The Church’s Dance in the 21st Century – Part 2
“The men of the city — of Sodom, compassed the town round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter; And they called unto Lot and said to him, “Where are the men which came in to thee this night? Bring them out to us that we may know them (Gen.19: 4,5, KJV).” …
Q & A:
What sense did you make out of the death of your first wife? How did it affect your God experience?
31 March 2004: The Bible and Homosexuality – The Church’s Dance in the 21st Century – Part 1
“Thou shalt not lie with mankind as with womankind: It is an abomination (Lev.18: 22 KJV).” “If a man also lie with mankind as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: They shall surely be put to death, their blood be upon them (Lev. 20:13.)” This is the Word of …
Q & A:
How can the clergy educate its members into contemporary theology and attract back the church alumni without alienating the aging conservatives that finance the local church?
24 March 2004: What Mel Gibson Does Not Understand About Biblical History
In the year 66 C.E. guerilla activities that had been festering in Galilee for more than 40 years broke out in a full-scale war. While that war was engaged in the mountains of Galilee, the Jewish ‘freedom fighters,’ familiar with those hills, acquitted themselves quite well. In response Rome decided to abandon the fight on …
Q & A:
Instead of a Question and Answer this week Waterfront Media would like to make the readers of this column aware of the fact that the Jesus Seminar, meeting recently in New York City, conferred on John Shelby Spong the 'John A. T. Robinson' Award. This award was named for the great revolutionary Bishop in the United Kingdom, who in the 1960s through his book, HONEST TO GOD, forced a new theological debate on the entire Christian Church. It was inaugurated this year and will be given annually to those who, in the minds of the Jesus Seminar leaders, have demonstrated 'Integrity, Insight, Foresight and Courage' in pursuing truth in the realm of religion. The citation was read by Dr. Robert Funk, Founder and President of the Jesus Seminar. The entire text follows:
17 March 2004: “The Passion of the Christ” — Mel Gibson’s Film and Biblical Scholarship – Part 4
Last week I examined the connection between Psalm 22 and the earlier gospel accounts of Jesus’ crucifixion. This week I turn to Isaiah 40-55, which was the other primary source from the Hebrew Scriptures that was so obviously woven into the story of the final events in Jesus’ life. The author of these chapters is …
Q & A:
I have read in a Christian Text called "Pure Sex" that Christian psychiatrists are curing homosexuals. They state it is possible but it takes a long time. Is this true? Does this article have any veracity?
10 March 2004: “The Passion of the Christ” — Mel Gibson’s Film and Biblical Scholarship – Part 3
There are some aspects of the gospels’ passion narratives that Mel Gibson seems not to know. That is surprising since they are commonplace in the world of New Testament scholarship. First, in the earliest narrative of the Passion of Jesus (Mark 14:17- 15:47), a poignant but little noticed fact is registered. Mark informs his readers …
Q & A:
Are there parts of the Old Testament that are said to be relevant today and why?
3 March 2004: “The Passion of the Christ” — Mel Gibson’s Film and Biblical Scholarship – Part 2
Mel Gibson claims that in his film, “The Passion of the Christ,” he has “followed faithfully the texts of the Gospels.” That is demonstrably not so, as I sought to show in this column last week. Yet, what interests me about this even more is that many religious people think that biblical accuracy is the …
Q & A:
[Vern is responding to this Open Letter to George Will]
To what "scientifically documented presence of homosexuality in the animal kingdom" do you refer?
Were those so-called scientists participants in previous homosexuality acts and do they now spend their time rationalizing? Do you know for certain?
Did you know that we here in Montana also have experts in animal behavior and they tell us that animals in the wild exhibit no such same-sex tendencies, and those that exhibit same-sex attraction in captivity only go through the motion, likely to impress the opposites which are forced to hover nearby?
What scholars do you know for a fact who have helped create this emerging new consensus, and are they likewise trying to rationalize one or more of their own homosexual acts?
Are you telling us that you support the marriage of homosexuals in the Episcopal Church?
Are you saying that you support Gene Robinson being a bishop and being a leader we should emulate because homosexuality is OK?
Am I correct in assuming that one of the qualifications for your position as a Church leader is that you are to look for the best in everyone?
In order for you to accomplish the above, does that explain why you rationalize and trivialize the behavior of homosexuals?
Have you ever participated in a homosexual act, and is that contributing to your present rationalization of their behavior?
Have you ever been assaulted, as I have been, by a male homosexual who wanted no more than to get his hand inside your pants?
25 February 2004: “The Passion of the Christ” — Mel Gibson’s Film and Biblical Scholarship
Mel Gibson’s motion picture, “The Passion of the Christ,” goes public on Ash Wednesday, February 25, the day this column comes out. Then people can see for themselves a film that has been hyped by advance showings to evangelical clergy and conservative Catholics, including Pope John Paul II. It has been praised by Protestant fundamentalists, …
Q & A:
In your column 'Miracle in Abingdon' you refer to churches not addressing the issues. I am part of a Church that does. Have you heard of the Church of Religious Science? Have you read the book by our founder Ernest Holmes written in 1926?
18 February 2004: WILLIAM CONWELL SPONG: November 2, 1933 – February 4, 2004
Brotherly love is a strange concept. It is so often marked by intense rivalry and little affection. One thinks of biblical brothers – Cain who killed Abel, Jacob who cheated Esau out of his birthright or Joseph who was sold into slavery by his brothers. But when one admires and loves one’s brother it is …
Q & A:
When Jesus said, "In my house there are many mansions," was he giving legitimacy to the other world religions like Islam and Buddhism?
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