The crux was not that the rich wouldn’t go to heaven but that if someone put the love over money above all else(God in particular) it would be very hard. The idea was that they had made money their god .
Tons. Luke 10:29–37 and Matthew 25: 35-40 off the top of my head. The bible is filled with stories of Jesus actively challenging social organization, especially when it comes to social hierarchies, even more directly when those hierarchies are the result of religious practice.
The overwhelming majority of them are in the Old Testament. I was responding to the assertion that Jesus was a liberal. The behavior of evangelicals doesn't actually prove or disprove that assertion.
This is one of those verses that gets cherry picked to make a point that is not in line with what is being taught. Some people think it is Jesus condemning the rich and how difficult it is for them to go to heaven, with the implied view that the poor get in with no problem. Let’s look at the larger conversation: “In fact, it’s easier for a camel to squeeze through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter God’s kingdom.” When his disciples heard this, they were stunned. “Then who can be saved?” they asked. Jesus looked at them carefully and said, “It’s impossible for human beings. But all things are possible for God.”” Matthew 19:24-26 CEB The disciples’ reaction was astonishment. If the rich can’t be saved, then who can be saved? In that day, the rich were the upper level of society, and the presumption was that anything spiritual was available to them first. Jesus’ response was it is impossible for anyone, rich or poor, to provide their own salvation. However, it is possible through God that someone can be saved. We also need to remember that just before this interchange, Jesus told a rich young person who thought he had done everything in following the law, to sell all he had and give it to the poor. This was not a declaration that everyone needs to get rid of all their wealth. It was meant to highlight what that young man considered most important in his life - his wealth. The Scriptures tell us that wealth can be a trap, and we can become more focused on that than focused on God. Money in itself is not evil, neither is possessing money. It’s the love of that money and our devotion to it that is the root of evil.
Never heard of mortal sin then I take it. Yes, some sins can't be forgiven, no mater how much money you give the priests, or how many hail Marys you say.
That's certainly part of it but, the point is also that no one can be saved without God. Just as a camel can only go through the eye of a needle with God's help but, with God, all things are possible.
^ Really dig hearing the supporters of an adulterous, convicted felon, adjudicated and admitted sexual assaulter talking about God. It's kind of like.....when we view their actions, they then provide the words for us to believe the opposite of, based upon the sordid filth they approve of with their actions.
Here are some example of wealthy people in the New Testament (taken from someone else’s write up): Joseph of Arimathea (Matt. 27:56-61; Mark 15:42-46; Luke 23:50-53) Pre-paid his own funeral Donated his tomb for the burial of Jesus Lesson: Forsaking treasures on earth will be rewarded Women supporters of Christ (Luke 8:3; 23:55-24:10; Mark 15:40; 16:1) Supported Jesus’ work Assisted in His burial (probably donated expensive perfume). Lesson: Generosity characterizes those who follow Jesus. Roman centurion who believed. (Matt. 8:5-13; Luke 7:5) Showed kindness toward the Jews. Paid for the building of a synagogue. Showed compassion for his ill servant. Lesson: When we love people it shows in the things we do and the projects we support. Philemon (Philemon 1) Owned slaves and other property. Forgave a runaway slave, both morally and financially. Joseph, called Barnabas (Acts 4:36-37) Sold land and gave the proceeds to believers. Lesson: Partnership in the Gospel may mean putting your money where believers hurt. Lydia (Acts 16:13-15, 40) Prosperous merchant woman Hosted the first church in Europe in her home. Lesson: We should use our resources and homes to accomplish God’s purposes. Cornelius the Centurion (Acts 10:1-48) Generous to the poor. Sought out Peter concerning the faith. Lesson: Fear of God should prompt us to admit our own need for a Savior. The Ethiopian Treasurer (Acts 8:26-40) Nurtured his belief in God by traveling to Jerusalem. Invited Philip to explain more about the faith. Lesson: Stewardship of money and study of Scriptures go hand in hand—as do business trips and worship services. I do agree with you that some evangelicals have become focused on riches, primarily those who preach a prosperity gospel or those who believe that achieving earthly riches is a sign of acceptance by God. However, the evangelicals in my circle do not think like that at all.
I just voted 12 times in North Carolina. I plan to vote a few times in Florida later this week. Did it on behalf of all my dead relatives.
I'm not sure if that's necessarily in the eyes of God . . . or in the eyes of Protestants. Seem to be differences on that point. Not trying to hijack, but it's an interesting issue IMO.
Then why didn't you start a thread about that instead of about who you voted for? As for the poll, I'm gonna vote for Nunya.
She still owes a lot of people, including Taylor Swift, an apology for that one. Its underlying premise was completely inaccurate, it was a patently offensive thread,
Good post, I had to stop and think this out. Personally, I tend to think of those passages more in terms of individuals than organizations though I suppose you could make a case that that aspect is present in the parable of the Good Samaritan. Having said that, I think the larger point, going back to post #16, is that those are not examples of Jesus caring about more than "that." They're examples of Jesus caring about exactly "that". If you love Jesus then you keep his command to love your neighbor as yourself.
