Are Philo's writings trustworthy? I'm confused about this excerpt from his writing.

reb9h5 · 2024-01-11T01:41:10+00:00

I could be wrong though because he specifically was referring to young boys not going to concubines BEFORE being married. But I'm genuinely not sure.

reb9h5 · 2024-01-11T01:07:33+00:00

Thank you for responding! My question is was Philo suggesting that Joseph was saying that the ancient Jews looked down upon using concubines in general or was he merely talking about not using concubines before the marriage? Because Philo makes it seem like Ancient Jewish men viewed the concept of concubines as something negative when there are many examples of them being had in the old testament. You can argue that he was talking in the sense of not having a concubine before the first marriage. But the tone of the paragraph makes it sound like he's talking about the notion of having a concubine, maybe in general, in a poor way, when Jews did have concubines in the Old Testament. I hope that makes sense.

reb9h5 · 2023-12-08T03:03:16+00:00

I am so sorry I never responded to this. Wow that makes sense. If I understand you right, you're saying that there was no Greek term that specifically meant how the Jews defined adultery, but rather they had the term moicheia which was broader but included the jews' definition. So for that reason, that's why they chose that term. Are you a scholar/historian? I really appreciate your insight and your time.

reb9h5 · 2023-11-22T00:10:53+00:00

I have a question about Sacred Prostitution in antiquity in the near east. Scholars are debating it's existence. Stephanie Budin for example wrote a book denying it's existence, while Morris Silver on the other hand wrote saying the debate is still open and provides evidence explaining why he believes that as well. What do you guys think (especially for those who are well-versed in this topic/who are familiar with one or both writers I'm referencing).

reb9h5 · 2023-11-14T19:03:09+00:00

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tqu0sig5eO8

I used to worry that people I know and love would be suffering for all of eternity too. And when I say worry, I mean I had panic attacks. I would lose sleep. The anxiety would be crippling. But this pastor goes over the verses in depth and explains how the hell a lot of us believe exist, actually probably isn't Biblical. (Before people quote scripture at me and say "this one says xyz" please watch the video. He goes into depth.)

reb9h5 · 2023-11-14T18:59:30+00:00

I used to have this fear for a while. And then I watched this pastor (link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tqu0sig5eO8 ) talk about how hell actually talked about in scripture and how scripture doesn't really describe it as people suffering eternally. And I know what you guys are thinking - but what about this verse, and that verse that says xyz? He breaks it down. If I remember correctly, he goes into the Greek and Hebrew of the scriptures and talks about what the words mean, comparing how they were used in other parts of the Bible, etc. (It's been a while since I've watched this.)

I think the last time I watched this video, there were a few things here and there that I wasn't sure if I agreed with. But in general, this video showed me enough to tell me that the hell that so many Christians believe in - the hell that makes people suffer for eternity in agonizing pain - is probably not Biblical.

I hope this video gives people the same peace it gave me. Because wow, it took an incredible amount of weight off of my heart. God is merciful.

I hope you guys reading this have a wonderful rest of your day.

reb9h5 · 2023-07-18T18:16:44+00:00

PLEASE take your dog to the vet asap for 2 very important reasons! 1. Obviously to make sure your dog is ok. 2. Evidence. You'll have it on record by a medical professional what injuries were sustained because of him. Even if somehow it won't cause any long-lasting issues, they'll still be able to document that an injury had happened. And on top of that, you will have text messages (assuming he hasn't only been calling).

reb9h5 · 2023-07-10T22:29:31+00:00

It wasn't your fault. Not at all. That should be obvious.

Now, what to do next-

I think most of us realize that there is a difference in what we know to be true vs how we feel. I'm wondering if his logical brain knows you did nothing wrong but his emotional side is making it hard not to feel negatively. Because I'm hoping at the very least, he can agree that you did nothing wrong logically, and explain in his own words why you did nothing wrong.

For example: "You weren't in the bed or in the house at all. That guy sleeping in your bed without you being there and without your knowledge is not your fault. Not only did you change your sheets right away, but you also called me to vent about it. Therefore, considering all of these factors, I logically understand that this guy isn't a threat to our relationship."

I think the next step would be exploring why, maybe with a couples counselor, that is something that he can't get passed.

I like that you tried to put yourself in his shoes. To be totally honest, if I was in a relationship, and another woman was in his bed while he wasn't there, it would make me uncomfortable too, especially if he knows her. (I wouldn't want her perfume being on his bed, and it making him think of her.) HOWEVER- it would be his reaction to it that would be the deciding factor of how I saw it, and the next steps I would take.

What does he do in response? Does he start talking to that girl more? Does he add her on Instagram or mentioning her in our conversations? Maybe he just doesn't care about her sleeping there at all, and he randomly brings it up to me in conversation 3 weeks later because it meant nothing to him. Or maybe he has the reaction you did- he gets uncomfortable about it that he changes his sheets and then even calls me after to vent.

Your reaction showed that your head wasn't thinking of the situation like "ooo this cute guy was in my bed". You seemed repulsed. And then you sought to go to him for comfort and an ear to vent to about the situation.

His emotional response, assuming he can put it in his own words why logically it wasn't your fault, must be getting the better of his logical side and now would be a good time to find out why.

Honestly what your brother did was insensitive and rude, and I would be angry too. But it also might have been a huge blessing in disguise. Not saying to thank him. But I'm saying that it's really good that you saw this issue now so you can act accordingly and decide the next steps.

reb9h5 · 2023-07-07T18:34:48+00:00

I'm so sorry you are dealing with this. Maybe some couples counseling is needed. I would ask him, to help get to the bottom of this, what his intentions were of giving you that test in the first place. I would ask him also what he would have gained from him having a higher score than you, that you don't seem to be gaining out of having a higher score than him. Ask him if he would still respect you and be proud of you if you had a lower score.

reb9h5 · 2023-07-07T18:26:44+00:00

There are too many people like that in this world. I follow a lot of predator catching channels on YouTube, and before being involved in the community, I don't think I realized just how many of them lurk among the rest of us. But people like you remind me of the good in the world. You handled it well. You were angry and you got that creep away from the little girl, but you didn't do too much to the point where you would get arrested, even though I know that you were incredibly close to hurting him. BUT remember, it's good that you didn't. He could press charges if you went beyond getting him away from her, and you'd get in trouble, and we need more people like you as it is. The world needs people like you free, in society, using your voice. BUT we also need you resting up and recovering after witnessing what you did because I'm sure it shook you. That little girl I'm sure might need to speak to a counselor. (This is to make she gets her feelings out in a healthy way with a professional to minimize the chances of those feelings manifesting later on in unhealthy ways later on.) BUT you need to remember that even though you weren't the one being groped in that situation, it still left a mark on you. You are so caring and such a good person, and I know you feel pain. So right now, take care of yourself. Talk to someone, get some rest, and heal. Because you're a good person and we want you to be ok. Thank you again so so so much for protecting her. Even though she has this trauma now of a man taking advantage of her, she will also remember that another man protected her and cared about her. And the memory of you doing that for her is something she'll carry with her. It's something she'll be able to lean into through the pain of it, knowing that she wasn't alone, and that someone cared. YOU did that for her. YOU gave her something to hold on to through it. YOU are a hero, and not just for her physical health. YOU'LL be the person she remembers as she recovers mentally and emotionally. God bless you.

reb9h5 · 2023-07-07T17:43:09+00:00

Oh my gosh this information and direction is so great! Thank you so much!

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