12-18-2006, 12:12 PM
Wael,
As difficult as it is for me to discuss Theology with you, I'll give it my best shot :)
The One, Holy, Catholic & Apostolic Church which Jesus founded on St Peter, the Rock, is referred to in the Bible as the Bride of Christ. She has the authority to teach, govern & sanctify her children on earth, with Christ as the head, of course. Christ & the Church are inseperable!. St Paul in his letters states that married couples image Christ & the Church. They become one & it is impossible for them to part ways.
Married couples who experience hard times are free to seperate temporarily (or permanently if lives are in danger), but they are never divorced from each other. Marriage requires sacrifice! When a man & a woman say their vows during their marriage ceremony, they promise to stick by each other in "sickness/health, good times/bad times, poor/wealth for all the days of their lives!"
In situations like domestic violence, it is definitely better that couples/children live apart, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's the end of the marriage. Rehabilitation and reconciliation is crucial & encouraged by the Church (who's sacred tradition is equal to sacred scripture).
You don't have to agree, but please try to understand, as I've tried to understand your position :)
Quote:I know you are not a Jew, but you must understand that Jesus pbuh brought no new religion, and that his was the confirmation of all the teachings that had gone before him.
Now you are saying that “we are not, nor have we ever been bound by the Mosaic Law” You see, you may convince me if you can bring some verses <b>FROM THE LIPS of Jesus Christ </b> where he himself said that "we are not bound by the law"
Jesus fulfilled the Old Covenant by establishing a New Covenant. Here's the difference... Christians do not get circumcised (we get baptised); Christians do not celebrate passover (we celebrate Mass instead); Christians do not perform the purity rituals described in Leviticus (we have the Scaraments which make us clean); Christians do not offer animal sacrifices (Christ, the Lamb of God, offered Himself as the ultimate sacrifice); Christians do not worship on Saturday's (We worship on the 8th Day - Sunday - the day of Jesus' resurrection); CHRISTIANS are no longer preparing for the coming of the Messiah (we are awaiting His second coming). The Old Covenant is finished (Jesus's last words on the Cross)!!!
Christ often conversed with the Pharisees (a group of pious Jewish lawyers) & called them hypocrites because of their legalistic life-styles. Jesus called for the coversion of their hearts.
I recommend you read the whole N/T (hahaha), but maybe start off with St Matthew's Gospel, chapter 5 (the Beatitudes), & the Acts of the Apostles which deals with the cessation of the Mosaic Law.
God inspired all the books in the Bible, however, he did not inspire the "characters" to do what they did within the stories. Moses was not a robot, he was a human being with intellect & free-will!
Quote:We respect your beliefs anyways.
Alleluia! I respect you for respecting me :peace:
Quote:No, not at all, I am fine and open for more discussions, in fact I always ask Non Muslims what do you think is wrong with Islam, and accept their criticism with smiling face. So don’t get emotional while discussing issues in the Bible, or else no need to discuss at all. :)
I'm open for more discussion too :) I don't wish to criticise Islam... I only seek a better understanding of it. I can talk non-stop about the Bible but I get emotional when it's taken out of context. I want everyone to see its beauty for what it really is.
It's all good, champ :thumb:
Take care!