The Litter Box
~ Monday, February 07, 2005
This Abyss guys posted that dumb Leviticus thing about abomination and homosexuality.Included here for your review:
Dear President Bush,Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law.
While I usually enjoy sarcasm, this is misplaced. It's not Dub's place to educate anyone on God's Law.
I have learned a great deal from you and understand why you would propose and support a constitutional amendment banning same sex marriage. As you said "in the eyes of God marriage is based between a man a woman."
This is factually correct. Notice this does not say "It's ok to hate people because they are gay.
I try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination... End of debate.
Au contrair. It it not just in Leviticus that this information is found. Rather, it is throughout the bible, both in the old and new testaments. It is contained in Leviticus as well, which is a set of laws given to the Israelites in order that they may be KEPT APART from the world. Set apart in that they might be holy in the eyes of God and not do as the rest of the sinful world did.
I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some other elements of God's Laws and how to follow them.
Should you not then, consult a priest or rabbi?
1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighbouring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?
This verse was God addressing to the Israelites (cf. Leviticus 25:1-2) in a time of the theocracy of Israel (cf. Leviticus 25:38). For today, in the time of God’s grace to all nations, the Bible in Philemon 1:16 gives an example stating, “no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother…”
2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?
Exodus 21:7 begins with “if”, and this suggest a theoretical case of what happens when a man sells his daughter, not an actual encouragement for men to sell their daughters.
3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanness - Lev.15: 19-24. The problem is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offence.
This was a command for the Israelites (see Leviticus 15:1) that were a part of the Old Covenant. Due to man’s fault with the Old Covenant God had in place a New Covenant (see Hebrews 8:8) through His Son, Jesus Christ. Contact with a woman in her period is not a sin for us today since “by calling this covenant ‘new’, he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear.” (Hebrews 8:13)
4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?
The context of this verse was God addressing to the Israelites as evident in Leviticus 1:2 when God tells Moses, “speak to the Israelites and say to them…” It is not for Christians today. Rather, sacrifices of bull “is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshipper.” (Hebrews 9:9). Sacrifices of bulls and the Law were only shadows of the reality (cf. Hebrews 10:1) but the reality is found in Christ (cf. Colossians 2:17). The bull sacrifices actually points towards Christ sacrifices for sins that is once and for all (See Hebrews 10:10) “and where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin.” (Hebrews 10:18) Thus, the ritual of bull sacrifices is over for today.
5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2. clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it?
This was Moses commanding the Israelites (see Exodus 35:1) and also a part of the Levitical law (cf. Leviticus 23:1-3). The Sabbath must first be understood from what Jesus Christ the Lord of the Sabbath himself (cf. Mark 2:28) says about it in Mark 2:27= “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” We must approach the Sabbath with this understanding. The Sabbath, being a Levitical Law, was not reaffirmed in the New Testament as being under the New Covenant. Thus through Christ, “by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations” (Ephesians 1:15a), Christians are not bound to the Sabbath anymore, just as a Christians are no longer bound to the Old Covenant law but to be under Grace instead.
6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination - Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this? Are there 'degrees' of abomination?
My version does not read that shellfish are an abonimation. “They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings—external regulations applying until the time of the new order.” (Hebrews 9:10) Leviticus 11:10 only applied to the Israelite and serves as an example of how God set aside the Jews to be different and distinct and be His Holy people (see Leviticus 20:26). As Christians in the New order or New Covenant, we find this command from Scriptures: “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1Corinthians 10:31)
7. Lev.21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle-room here?
Context of this verse has God addressing the priests (see Leviticus 21:1) of Israel in the time of the theocracy of Israel (cf. Leviticus 25:38). Having an eye defect and approaching an altar is not a sin today because the priests whom this law applied to, no longer exists today! The high priest is now Jesus Christ who is up in Heaven (cf. Hebrews 4:14). Thus, “for when there is a change of the priesthood, there must also be a change of the law.” (Hebrews 7:12) The regulation in Leviticus 21:20 is thus, no longer in effect.)
8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev.19:27. How should they die?
This was a command to Israel (Leviticus 19:1-2) and only applied to the time before Christ. The Law, with similar regulations such as the one discussed here have been set aside. (Cf. Hebrews 7:18) Thus, we find in scriptures, “now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.” (Galatians 3:25)
9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?
“These are the regulations concerning animals, birds, every living thing that moves in the water and every creature that moves about on the ground,” (Leviticus 11:46) which the Lord gave to the Israelites (See Leviticus 11:1-2) to set them apart as His nation (cf. Leviticus 20:20). Touching a dead pig’s skin is not a sin today because of Jesus own sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin, “having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.” (Colossians 2:14)
10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev.19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? Lev.24:10-16. Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev.20:14)
No, but can we stone your dumb ass for asking such a dumb question?
I keep wanting to slap people who post this type of crap.
First, anyone who knows anything about Christianity knows that Jesus replaced many many many of those laws (hence the name NEW testament). The only people still holding to those laws are Orthodox Jews. (Some Jews don't even follow most of those laws. I know a very devout Jew who happens to be gay.)
This bullshit irritates me because anyone can SAY they are a Christian but when it's time to walk the walk, they very much are not.
posted by Nikki B at 6:23:00 AM