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Conference lgp30::christian-perspective

Title:Discussions from a Christian Perspective
Notice:Prostitutes and tax collectors welcome!
Moderator:CSC32::J_CHRISTIE
Created:Mon Sep 17 1990
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1362
Total number of notes:61362

488.0. "Let the dead bury the dead" by CSC32::J_CHRISTIE (Peace) Wed Jul 08 1992 22:17

Luke 9:60  Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but
           go thou and preach the kingdom of God. (KJV)


	What does "Let the dead bury their dead" mean to you?

Peace,
Richard

T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
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488.1SDSVAX::SWEENEYGotham City's Software ConsultantWed Jul 08 1992 22:339
    Spiritually dead.

    The context required a number of steps to be taken by a Jewish man
    after his �father dies.  It's a little bit like our own "settling the
    estate" process.  Jesus said there isn't time for all that.

    The counsel that follows is more understandable "No one who puts his
    hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of
    heaven".  Don't be indecisive, don't have second thoughts.
488.2PACKED::PACKED::COLLIS::JACKSONAll peoples on earth will be blessed through youThu Jul 09 1992 12:244
Agreed.  Essentially Jesus is saying don't let anything
distract you from the Kingdom of God (and the King).

Collis
488.3Kindred SpiritUSCTR1::RTRUEBLOODRollyn Trueblood DTN 297-6553Thu Jul 09 1992 13:2217
  It took several years before I experienced the context of this passage.
However, middle age caught up with me. One parent is in a nursing home
and the other lives with me but is half-a-bubble out of plumb. Now I 
understand. I think the person is saying "Let me close out my family
responsibilities first, such as burying my parents who are still alive,
then I will be able to follow you."

  There are times when I fantacize of being released from my family responsi-
bilities, having no mortgage, kids finished with school, getting a huge 
package from DEC, and THEN getting a missionary job on Pelau, Pitcairn or 
other Micronesian island...

  I guess I understand this passage quite well.

Best wishes,
Rollyn

488.4CSC32::J_CHRISTIEPeaceFri Jul 10 1992 15:574
    What does it mean to be spiritually dead while physically alive?
    
    Peace,
    Richard
488.5VIDSYS::PARENTField Change Order, and magicFri Jul 10 1992 16:5610
<    What does it mean to be spiritually dead while physically alive?
    
   Richard,

   To me that is the definition of a suicidal state, no reason to live.

   Peace,
   Allison

488.6SDSVAX::SWEENEYGotham City&#039;s Software ConsultantFri Jul 10 1992 19:4013
    Someone who is spiritually dead is someone 

    who either hasn't examined the utter futility of life in contemplation
    of the belief that the spirit is mortal or

    who has examined the utter futility of life, believes in the mortality
    of the spirit, and with resignation to the inevitable, accepts it or

    who believes in the immortality of the spirit, but has despaired in the
    infinite mercy of God, believes himself irredeemable.

    (I'm sorry for the awkwardness of this, I knew C.S. Lewis, and I'm not
    C.S. Lewis when it comes to explaining this.)