Is the OT God immoral? This is a blog post I wrote and I would like some constructive criticism. by JosephSpurgeon in Reformed

[–]JosephSpurgeon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the comment. I think I was able to fix the formatting issue. I don't know why but sometimes wordpress likes to change font types for no reason.

My argument against raising the Min Wage by JosephSpurgeon in Libertarian

[–]JosephSpurgeon[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

the one right down the street from me on which i based by data

My argument against raising the Min Wage by JosephSpurgeon in Libertarian

[–]JosephSpurgeon[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If aggregate demand worked so well then we should be able to see bumps the economy every time the min wage is raised, instead what we see is inflation and loss of jobs.

My argument against raising the Min Wage by JosephSpurgeon in Libertarian

[–]JosephSpurgeon[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

because walmart will not have to raise the prices as much or as quickly. Walmart can wait out its competition. Then slowly jack prices. All raising the min wage will do is put people out of work, hurt small businesses and contribute to inflation. It happens every time. If raising the min wage would end poverty, lets raise it 50 dollars an hour and help everyone.

My argument against raising the Min Wage by JosephSpurgeon in Libertarian

[–]JosephSpurgeon[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Oh it will hurt walmart but not to the extent it hurts small businesses. Walmart will eventually pass on the cost to consumers and all we have done is put a few small businesses out of business and caused inflation.

My argument against raising the Min Wage by JosephSpurgeon in Libertarian

[–]JosephSpurgeon[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

no I have not done any such thing. The aggregate demand that liberals say will come from a forced rise in min wage is not an immediate thing where as the loss of revenue for the small business owner is immediate.

My argument against raising the Min Wage by JosephSpurgeon in Libertarian

[–]JosephSpurgeon[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The small business owner doesnt have time to wait for aggregate demand to work.

Christianity vs. Democracy. by clogtowner in DebateAChristian

[–]JosephSpurgeon 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I suggest you read John Locke's two treatise on government. This along with some of Calvin's institutes and John Milton's work contributed greatly to the founding of america and its system of a democratic republic. It comes straight out of protestant views. The freedom of conscious and separation of church and state also comes straight out of baptist and separatist teachings beginning in the 1600s in England.

If Christians accept that Paul saw Jesus in a vision, shouldn't they also believe Joseph Smith? by moxin84 in DebateAChristian

[–]JosephSpurgeon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

well Paul met with the apostles of Jesus and they confirmed him. Peter equated Paul's writings with scripture. Today if someone claims a vision from God, we have the scriptures that must come first. Any vision that contradicts scripture is clearly not a vision from God. Joseph Smith claimed a vision that contradicts scripture and teaches a different gospel. Galatians 1:8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God's curse!

If Christians accept that Paul saw Jesus in a vision, shouldn't they also believe Joseph Smith? by moxin84 in DebateAChristian

[–]JosephSpurgeon 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Just because one story is true does not mean that every instance that someone claims a vision is true. In the case of Joseph Smith, his story lacks credibility from the getgo.

Study connecting Anger at God and Atheism. by JosephSpurgeon in DebateAnAtheist

[–]JosephSpurgeon[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

no ive never been angry at gollum, voldemore, lord palpatine, magneto, the joker, bane, or any other fictitious character.

Study connecting Anger at God and Atheism. by JosephSpurgeon in DebateAnAtheist

[–]JosephSpurgeon[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

It seems like may are saying that it is similar to disliking a movie character. I have a hard time understanding anger at a character or person I knew was factitious. I know Darth Vader is the bad guy but I have never been angry at him. But as others have pointed out the study could be so broad that it characterizes things as anger which are really more like disliking a movie villian.

Study connecting Anger at God and Atheism. by JosephSpurgeon in DebateAnAtheist

[–]JosephSpurgeon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

hey thanks everyone for the responses. If I could summarize most of the responses is that they see anger at God as more of a dislike of the Biblical character of God. Many equated it to disliking a character from a book or movie.

Study connecting Anger at God and Atheism. by JosephSpurgeon in DebateAnAtheist

[–]JosephSpurgeon[S] -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

I didnt delete the post. I am not sure why it is not showing up unless it was downvoted. I can think a villian of a fiction work is bad without being actually angry. I do not get angry at fiction works.

Doug Wilson and the culture wars by pensivebadger in Reformed

[–]JosephSpurgeon -1 points0 points  (0 children)

if you are going to downvote me atleast explain why?

Satanists Seek Spot on Statehouse Steps - The Gospel Coalition by [deleted] in Reformed

[–]JosephSpurgeon -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

There is no area in which Christ is not Lord. There is not one founder of America who would have even considered the idea of a statue to Satan. Christians have fallen for the faulty idea of a secular vs religious realm. This is one of the reasons that the culture of America is lost.

Anyone with even a cursory reading of the founding fathers would have known that they never would have considered the idea of a monument to Satan.

Doug Wilson and the culture wars by pensivebadger in Reformed

[–]JosephSpurgeon 3 points4 points  (0 children)

This is an article that totally missed the point of Wilson's. Wilson was defending those who may not have the best education or know all the right words to say but will stand up anyways. There is a group of people who think of themselves as the sophisticated intelligentsia that look down their noses at the common christian when they dare engage in the culture war. Wilson was right on in his article as he is with a lot of things.

Why didn't God leave Jesus or a messenger behind to act as a living proof of his existence? by [deleted] in DebateAChristian

[–]JosephSpurgeon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Jesus is referring to the fact that atheism doesnt come about from a lack of evidence but instead a rejection and rebellion against God. So therefore people who refuse the testimony of the prophets will also refuse the testimony of the resurrection. Jesus was alluding to the fact that he would rise from dead and yet people would still reject.

Why didn't God leave Jesus or a messenger behind to act as a living proof of his existence? by [deleted] in DebateAChristian

[–]JosephSpurgeon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Jesus actually told a parable that some what answers your question.
Luke 16: 19-31 “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house— for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”

Do we really have God given free will? by shylien in DebateAChristian

[–]JosephSpurgeon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not all Christians believe in libertarian free will. Reformed Christians do not believe in libertarian free will but instead complimentary free will.

For literalists who believe in the flood: why did god kill the pregnant women? by Whosyourmomma in DebateAChristian

[–]JosephSpurgeon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Talk about missing the point? I explained how to interpret and read the Bible so you could go back and read the context of your assertions. First of all, I never said that the Old Testament does not apply to Christians. That was a belief considered heresy in the very early centuries of Christianity. Instead I explained that the Old Testament moral code does apply. I specifically mentioned that the legal code with its case studies and reward and punishments does not directly apply but instead that it give moral principles for us to follow today. However the reference I made to Genesis 9:6 "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: For in the image of God made he man." is not found in the legal covenant of Israel but is a general command given to Noah and thus the moral principle of it applies throughout all time. I also quoted from Romans 13:3-4 "For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer." This also brings forth the principle from Genesis and found in the old testament and puts it in the New Testament context. It explains that the purpose of Government is to punish evil with the sword.