| Viper Boys! |
| Viper Boys! |
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My sister is a strong Christian. One day I asked her if she thought 'Paul' was a 'Jesus-follower'. She viewed that as sort of a threatening question. As if the devil had entered the room (or was already IN the room)! But I think it's a valid question for an important reason. Jesus kept driving at humbleness, lowliness, the absence of riches, and caring for the least in life. Does that sound like 'Paul'? I don't think so. 'Paul' periodically made light of the Jerusalem leadership (the same group we call 'inspired'). 'Paul' thought it appropriate for his opponents to castrate themselves (graphically described!). 'Paul' discussed the 'dogs', who normally would be 'gentiles', but in Paul's case, his opponents. When he felt he went a little 'over-board', he'd explain he was the 'least' of the apostles. No kidding. But my sister excused 'Paul'. She pointed out that Jesus' called the pharasees 'vipers' ... snakes! Sure enough, Matthew quotes Jesus THREE times (Mat 3:7, Mat 12:34, Mat 23:33). Luke likes it too (Luk 3:7), but not Mark or John ... quess the 'viper-boy' was 'Q'. Well, there you go. Dogs equals snakes. Looks the same to me! Plus Jesus talked about gentile 'dogs' too! Whew. If you read about the spanish priests and their work with the native americans, it's quite impressive (if you're not native american). They risked their lives for what they believed in, periodically loosing in the deal. But what is even more surprising is their 'battles' between each other. The Jesuits vs the Franciscans. Soccer match!! And quite hateful. The viper-boys! In fact, if you read the large majority of theologian writings, you see that same confident pride, and often a 'meanness'. Viper-boys hard at work on the job! How do you reconcile 'humbleness' and 'viper-work'? I really think this is where 'Christianity' is today. On the one hand, you see 'humbleness' in the soup-kitchens of America. And on the other, you see the 'viper-boys' in the latest political debate. Are these the same Christians? Personally, I don't think most Christians even see a problem. 'Viper-work' keeps the devil at bay ... so you can practice your 'Jesus' living! And didn't Jesus, himself, say the same ... 'Lo, I do send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves, be ye therefore wise as the serpents, and simple as the doves.' (Mat 10:16 YLT). So there you go. Thank you, Matthew!! Mark, Luke and John ... listen up there! Everybody gets to be a viper! Woo, hoo! Oh, wait a minute. Matthew uses 'snake', not 'viper'. Vipers were poisonous. Okie, dokie (see Mat 23:33 [*]). OK, everybody ... be a 'snake'! No 'vipers'! (by the way, if you're a 'sophist', check out Mat 10:16 ... interesting) |
| Copyright ©, 2007, dmbarnhart |
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