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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

845.0. "A Diet of Gnats and Camels" by CSC32::J_CHRISTIE (Honorary Lesbian) Mon Feb 07 1994 14:00

Matthew 23:24  [Ye] blind guides, which strain at a �gnat,� and swallow
a �camel.�

I've heard this comment used a lot here lately.  It's funny.  It's funny
imagery, for one thing.  But it's also funny because of the context in
which Jesus used it.

Jesus was chastising those who appear to be obedient and righteous because
they do the right and acceptable thing according to the Law, while turning
a blind eye to the "weightier [matters] of the law, judgment, mercy, and
faith."

Ironically, the people most often accused of consuming camels here are the
ones who are least into the letter of the Law, but who instead wrestle with
the weightier matters of the Law.

Richard
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name		DateLines
845.1misplaced priority is a common problemLGP30::FLEISCHERwithout vision the people perish (DTN 223-8576, MSO2-2/A2, IM&T)Mon Feb 07 1994 14:169
re Note 845.0 by CSC32::J_CHRISTIE:

        And then there is the following, in Luke:

        "6:41 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy
        brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine
        own eye?"

        Bob
845.2PACKED::COLLIS::JACKSONDCU fees? NO!!!Mon Feb 07 1994 16:2811
  >Ironically, the people most often accused of consuming camels here are the
  >ones who are least into the letter of the Law, but who instead wrestle with
  >the weightier matters of the Law.

Indeed, it is ironic.

However, since I believe that that those wrestling with some of the
weightier matters have missed some of the critical essentials, I
think it applies either way.

Collis
845.3AIMHI::JMARTINTue Feb 08 1994 09:429
    Richard:
    
    It has been openly proclaimed by fundamentalists in this conference
    that as the Bible states, the just shall live by faith.  Faith alone
    saves based upon God's mercy and love for us.
    
    My question to you is, who here is consuming camels and who isn't?
    
    -Jack
845.4CSC32::J_CHRISTIEHonorary LesbianTue Feb 08 1994 11:585
    You, I suspect, believe I am one who swallows the spitting
    beast of the desert.  Am I correct?
    
    Richard
845.5AIMHI::JMARTINTue Feb 08 1994 15:3522
    Re: Note 845.0                 A Diet of Gnats and Camels                 
    4 replies
   
   >> Matthew 23:24  [Ye] blind guides, which strain at a �gnat,� and swallow
   >> a �camel.�
 >>   Ironically, the people most often accused of consuming camels here are
 >>   the
 >>   ones who are least into the letter of the Law, but who instead wrestle
 >>   with
 >>   the weightier matters of the Law.
    
 >>   Richard
   
    Richard, you made the implication, I was just responding to it.  Whose
    eating the beast of burdens of the desert?
    
    P.S. A footnote.  I heard about a guy who was dying of thirst in the
    desert.  His camel died and the man said he split open the camels
    humps to get water.  His final reply was, "You'd rather die of
    thirst!!"
    
    -Jack
845.6CSC32::J_CHRISTIEHonorary LesbianTue Feb 08 1994 16:1811
    .5
    
    If I made an implication, it was about who was being accused of swallowing
    camels, not about who was swallowing camels.
    
    Thank you for quoting me exactly.  It does say what I said it says and
    nothing else.
    
    Shalom,
    Richard
845.7AIMHI::JMARTINWed Feb 09 1994 10:093
    Thanks and sorry, I think I have it straight now!
    
    -Jack