In the Old Testament, the Hebrew nation was consistently offending God because as they encountered other cultures, they would adapt bits and pieces of pagan religions and graft it into their own. This compromising practice offended God.
King Solomon, the wisest man that ever lived was the worst offender of this compromising sin. And it led to the downfall of the nation.
"Now King Solomon loved many foreign women. Besides Pharaoh's daughter, he married women from Moab, Ammon, Edom, Sidon, and from among the Hittites. The LORD had clearly instructed the people of Israel, "You must not marry them, because they will turn your hearts to their gods.' Yet Solomon insisted on loving them anyway. He had 700 wives of royal birth and 300 concubines. And in fact, they did turn his heart away from the LORD. In Solomon's old age, they turned his heart to worship other gods instead of being completely faithful to the LORD his God, as his father, David, had been" 1 Kings 11;1-4
The Smithsonian Magazine has a article about Thomas Jefferson cutting and pasting his own Bible. He would cut out what offended him and keep what agreed with him.
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/How-Thomas-Jefferson-Created-His-Own-Bible.html?device=ipad&c=y
In the New Testament, God was very clear on His position when it came to what His followers would believe and do. "Teacher, what is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself'.
God made it clear that He would not tolerate His followers worshipping any other "gods". So when Thomas Jefferson started picking and choosing what he would believe and what he wouldn't believe, he was attempting to placing himself above God. He was placing himself in the position to judge God. And this, in my thinking is very dangerous ground.
"And I solemnly declare to everyone who hears the words of prophecy written in this book: If anyone adds anything to what is written here, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book. And if anyone removes any of the words from this book of prophecy, God will remove that person's share in the tree of life and in the holy city that are described in this book" Revelation 22:18-19
No comments:
Post a Comment