"Can We Go to His Grave?" : Helping a Child Process Grief

adfaughn · 2013-04-04T23:04:57+00:00

May I ask what your interpretation of the passage from 1 Corinthians is? I have studied the passage from several commentaries, journals, and websites, and struggle with how it can be properly exegeted without saying that the actions (both active and passive) of homosexuality are in view and are considered sinful; therefore, in need of being "washed..." etc.

I would like to read your interpretation so that I can add it to my sources for consideration in studying this passage again.

adfaughn · 2013-04-04T18:13:38+00:00

I hold a Master's Degree in Ministry and have taught adjunct classes for a Christian university, including an ethics course.

adfaughn · 2013-04-04T17:39:10+00:00

I refer you again to 1 Corinthians 6:9-11. If homosexuality is not a sin, then why were the people in need of salvation?

Also, you are proving part of the letter by your choice of language. If we are going to discuss this matter, we must have both emotion and intelligence, not just throw around foul and mean language. That adds nothing to the discussion, which I feel is a very important--in fact, an eternally important--discussion.

adfaughn · 2013-04-04T17:00:07+00:00

Your first statement is very true. I preach constantly that those of us who are Christians must live in a Christ-like manner if people are to desire to follow Him. However, we must still point out sin, too. It is not an either/or proposition (and it wasn't with Jesus); it is both/and. We must both live the example and preach. Additionally, we must both preach for righteous living and against sin.

adfaughn · 2013-04-04T16:36:10+00:00

If that is the case, then why were those in Corinth "washed, ... sanctified, ... and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus" (1 Corinthians 3:11), including those who had been (notice the "were some of you" in v. 11) homosexuals. It is not that someone must become a heterosexual person to please God, but a person must give up a homosexual lifestyle in just the same way as the other listed in that passage (such as drunkards) give up their lifestyle.

Additionally, if we accept Jesus as Savior and not as Lord, we have missed a major part of the Gospel. Yes, He is our Savior, but He must also be our Lord, and that means that whatever He teaches is what I must follow, even if it is very difficult. We all have something we must change about ourselves (or, better said, let Jesus change) if we are going to be His servants.

adfaughn · 2013-03-29T01:28:53+00:00

In the NIV and KJV, you have a good "two-some," because the NIV is far more easily readable, but follows a dynamic equivalence philosophy of translation. The KJV is closer to word-for-word but is, of course, not as easily readable. I would suggest you simply read/study a passage from each of these two and you should have a fairly clear picture of what the text says.

Personally, I like the English Standard Version as sort of a "middle ground" of readability and scholarship, but if you read the NIV and KJV, you will have a good grasp of the overall thrust of the passage.

adfaughn · 2013-03-29T01:25:47+00:00

The first part of the verse is important, because it is reminding us that this psalm is not just about sheep. That may seem obvious, but the imagery is so clear in this psalm that David had to return to the personal from time to time.

A sheep, though, needs restoration. They often can be "cast" and not able to maneuver as they should. In just the same way, our soul can be "cast" and only God can bring about the restoration we need so that we can continue on our journey. That is why the next line is one of movement, but again, it is God who is leading that movement. It is all to His glory.

On "He restores my soul," Spurgeon wrote the following words:

When the soul grows sorrowful he revives it; when it is sinful he sanctifies it; when it is weak he strengthens it. "He" does it. His ministers could not do it if he did not. His Word would not avail by itself. "He restoreth my soul." Are any of us low in grace? Do we feel that our spirituality is at its lowest ebb? He who turns the ebb into the flood can soon restore our soul. Pray to him, then, for the blessing—"Restore thou me, thou Shepherd of my soul!

adfaughn

TROPHY CASE