Good Conversations and Bad Conversations....

Sometimes I find it a lot easier to share the Gospel with a non-believer than to discuss about the bible with believers. Especially when they are older, supposedly better read and self-proclaimed teachers of the word. I really cannot stand it when a person cannot agree to disagree when it comes to teachings in the bible. It is a fact that many teachings in the bible CANNOT be read at face value without understanding the context at which it was written and the historical landscape at that point in time. If we were to take everything literally, then according to the following passages:

1) Luke 14:26
We will have to hate our loved ones in order to be a Christian.

2) 1 Tim 2:8-10
Women cannot wear jewellery, and cannot have any fancy hairstyles.

3) Numbers 31:15-18, Isaiah 13:13-19
It is ok to kill the innocent and commit rape in war.

4) Matt 5:38-42
When someone slaps you on one side of your face, you MUST stand there and let him do it to the other side as well.

5) Matt 19:12
It is ok to self mutilate in order to serve God.

And a whole lot of other "questionable" scripture verses I'm sure we've come across at one point or another. Isn't it scary if we were to follow these words blindly?

I truly believe that when we read the word of God, we cannot simply read it like a story book. Some people say that the bible is shallow enough for a baby to waddle in and deep enough to drown the greatest theologian...I totally agree. There is so much to the bible. We have to consider the nature of the human writer and the target audience etc, so that we can fully appreciate the message that God is trying to tell us. But more importantly, we should always allow the Holy Spirit to speak to us through His word. Let God reveal the truth of His word to us, that's when it becomes exciting isn't it?

What does one do when the Spirit of God suddenly challenges your fundamental religious beliefs? Dismiss it as heresy from the very pit of hell? Or do we seek God and allow his Spirit to convince us and reveal to us what we may not be able to see with our natural eyes? I would choose the latter because when Jesus came, he stirred up quite a storm and pxxxed off many religious leaders in his time as well.

I have a big problem with pious people, they tend to be quick to judge and they always think they are right...and they often don't acknowledge that they are the ones who have the "holier-than-thou" attitude. Sadly, because they think they are always right, they tend not to listen to your arguments because they are always trying to form a counter argument. And they often say the same things over and over again...and they leave you wondering.."yah, you said that just now, but didn't I already say that...oh right, never mind."

So to every possible traditionalist out there who is reading this, please answer this question:

If God has clearly anointed a WOMAN to teach, preach and pastor a church, who are we to stop it from happening? Feel free to quote bible verses and substantiate your argument.

And for the record, I believe in seeing fruits. You judge if a Church is growing by its numbers, because God draws people to Him and they stay there.