Here is a subject that religion has obscured to the point of destroying what is good in order to support that which is evil.
I would have put this subject in the unorthodox doctrines section....but how could I do that to this very basic topic?
I want to begin with a story of my own making that illustrates my point.
A certain king was dying and sent for his son who was to become king in his place. That son had never lived in the kingdom he was to inherit as he was raised elsewhere. But upon arrival he set out to find out what kind of subjects he was to govern. So he dressed in a casual manner and set out on his horse.
Along the way the horse slipped and the young prince fell into a ditch, breaking his leg.
When he awoke he found himself in the care of a farmer...who, finding him unconscious and lying in the ditch, had taken him to his home in order to look after him.
The young prince, upon awakening asked the farmer. "do you know who I am"??
The farmer replied "no...you were in need of help so here I am at your service"
(Now the ending depends on how you read the bible....)
Many evangelicals would have the young prince say...'What you don't know me or even my name?...away to the gallows with you....for you are evil. "
(Of course this majority view sees Jesus as a type of Rumpelstiltskin who is very indignant about people knowing who he is or not...)
But wouldn't Jesus reward that farmer very greatly?...(by making him a rich man in order to encourage others to do as he did.)
So here is a question. Was the farmer righteous?
I would have put this subject in the unorthodox doctrines section....but how could I do that to this very basic topic?
I want to begin with a story of my own making that illustrates my point.
A certain king was dying and sent for his son who was to become king in his place. That son had never lived in the kingdom he was to inherit as he was raised elsewhere. But upon arrival he set out to find out what kind of subjects he was to govern. So he dressed in a casual manner and set out on his horse.
Along the way the horse slipped and the young prince fell into a ditch, breaking his leg.
When he awoke he found himself in the care of a farmer...who, finding him unconscious and lying in the ditch, had taken him to his home in order to look after him.
The young prince, upon awakening asked the farmer. "do you know who I am"??
The farmer replied "no...you were in need of help so here I am at your service"
(Now the ending depends on how you read the bible....)
Many evangelicals would have the young prince say...'What you don't know me or even my name?...away to the gallows with you....for you are evil. "
(Of course this majority view sees Jesus as a type of Rumpelstiltskin who is very indignant about people knowing who he is or not...)
But wouldn't Jesus reward that farmer very greatly?...(by making him a rich man in order to encourage others to do as he did.)
So here is a question. Was the farmer righteous?