Why context matters

hummm, something wrong there.

 

UCC churches are notoriously liberal so nothing surprises me from them, just like any other mainline church except I think the UCC's have been liberal even longer.

 

Very revealing...

 

The Way Some Interpret Scripture


The ignorance displayed is stunning. What can you learn about people by selectively taking passages from their writings and putting a strange spin on them? Not much, but let's try it: according to one religion, a true adherent must speak in tongues and take up serpents (1). Unruly or rebellious children must be put to death (2), as must Jews (3) and anyone who does simple chores on the Sabbath (4). Further, followers of this faith must hate their families and abandon them (5), and you must follow all orders from the government, since rulers are placed over you by this religion's god (6). Slavery is permitted (7). If you have enemies, you are ordered to love them, kill them, accommodate them, and send them to hell to burn for all eternity (8). This religion's god sent a savior -- to cause humanity strife and grief (9). Followers should not pray in public, such as in school (10), and abortion is OK since a fetus is not a living human until it takes its first breath (11). After death, you may not retain your spirit -- sorry (12).

Did you guess the religion? You probably did -- it's Mitch in Kentucky's religion: Christianity, and all of these things are from the Bible. (Remember, I said this is what someone who
selectively takes passages and puts a "strange spin on them" could conclude. Clear?) The
references:

1. Mark 16:16-18
2. Deuteronomy 21:20-21
3. Luke 19:27
4. Exodus 35:2
5. Luke 14:26, Matthew 10:35-36 and Matthew 19:29
6. Romans 13:1-7, 2 Peter 2:10, Matthew 22:17-21, Mark 12:17, Luke 20:25
7. Eph 6:5, Col 3:22
8. Matthew 5:44, Luke 19:27, Matthew 5:39-45, Mark 9:43-48, Mark 11:13-14, 20
9. Luke 12:51-53, Matthew 10:34
10. Matthew 6:5-6
11. Geneses 2:7
12. Eccles 8:8

from http://www.thisistrue.com/antichrist.html

 

The quote fits the church, in context.

Quote from thier site: "For each of us, however, baptism is big enough, strong enough and cleansing enough to last forever. We believe that everyone – old, young, straight, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, physically or emotionally challenged, rich or poor, sure or unsure, lost or found, Democrat or Republican has a place in the body of Christ."

 

UCC: United Church of [Anti-]Christ.

 

I agree with the statement following the first one, but water baptism only can "cleanse" the testimony as it is intended to do, that is one is now identified by water baptism to be a child of God verses a child of the devil/ world's system

 

Do they even know that those words in their banner are the ones quoted by satan in his attempt to tempt Christ???????

I wanted to contact them to bring that to their attention, but couldn't find a way on the web, anyone else try?

 

Here is the e-mail address for the webmaster:

webmaster@stjamesucclimerick.org

I wonder if this site might be a hoax?

Joseph Botwinick

 

Ok, I was thinking about this last night. We have no idea why or in what context they have used this verse, we are only speculating. Joseph gave us the email address, why don't we just ask. Someone feel strongly enough to do the emailing?

 

Probably not. They have a google phone and address listing.

http://www.google.com/local?hl=en&lr=&q=st-james-united-church-of-christ&near=Limerick,+PA+19468&sa=X&oi=locald&radius=0.0&latlng=40192860,-75530548,8630382204401123747

and are listed on Church Angel
http://churchangel.com/WEBPA/limerick.htm

Here is the church e-mail:
stjamesucc@msn.com

 

I e-mailed the webmater this morning asking if they were aware of the context of the verse and if they were, why it was still chosen. Haven't heard anything back yet but if I do, I'll post it here.

It looks like they have changed their banner since this morning.

 

Yes, they've dropped the Bible verse and replaced it with their phone number, by the look of it.

 

Another quote from the site: "We tend to be the “out of the box” people... the first to ordain openly gay lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered persons (1972)."

And you guys are helping them make their website better!!

 

I was mainly laughing at them for being so ignorant of the Bible...but I was also curious as to whether it was a hoax or not or if they really didn't realize what they had done. Considering they have changed it, I would say that this is proof positive of the kind of stupidity one can expect when they embrace liberal unbiblical doctrine.

Joseph Botwinick

 

And we haven't even gotten into the fact that they accept Democrats in their church!!! At least it doesn't say that they're ordaining democrats, but you have to assume it's just around the corner!

 

Only if they want to be seeker sensitive.

Joseph Botwinick

 

I would say that liberals have not cornered the market on stupidity and poor understanding of biblical context.

 

I e-mailed the webmater this morning asking if they were aware of the context of the verse and if they were, why it was still chosen. Haven't heard anything back yet but if I do, I'll post it here.

It looks like they have changed their banner since this morning. </font>[/QUOTE]Thanks, prehaps then they didn't realize what they had done, or it was a mistake. We don't really know how long it was there do we? I mean maybe just a few days and you emailing them made them pay more attention.
I'd love to know what they say if they email you back.