Note: This piece is drawn from this week’s episode of Dangerous Dogma. If you prefer, you can listen to that audio podcast version of this piece (or watch a video version).
One of the worst transgressions of all human beings---and one that we all commit from time to time---is to think, speak or act stupidly. Unfortunately, so far in the evolution of human brains there has been no cure for stupidity. I've read that one of Abraham Lincoln's favorite sayings was, "It is better to be thought stupid [by others] than to open your mouth and remove all doubt". And, no, there is not a "different salvation" for anyone in any condition. We are all saved by the grace of God, not because we can meet/need to meet any requirement for salvation, but because the grace of God extends to all human beings in any and all conditions and in any and all circumstances.
If the extential threat of White Christian Nationalism and Fascist Oligarchism were not so serious, Senator Jett's attempt to be a scholar of the book of Proverbs would be most laughable. It just goes to show, nust because you apparently have attended a Southern Baptist Church that does not guarantee that you are qualified to attempt to pontificate as to the meaning and application of scripture. Senator Jett's first problem is he is attempting to deal with one of the "Wisdom" books found in the Tanakh. The key word being "Wisdom". The rantings of the Senator clearly demonstrate his singular deficiency in that area. Furthermore, a "Foundamental" concept of how a scholar would address doing an exegesis of Scripture is totally absent. In other words, from a Biblical Scholarship perspective, this guy doesn't have a clue. Foundational to understanding scripture, in any book in the Tanakh or the New Testament, are three words - context, context, and context. Jeff doesn't have a scintila of understanding of the the historical, cultural or textual context for his use of a verse from Proverbs. The blessed thing about Soul and Bible Freedom is that every one is free to come to their own conclusions of how they understand and apply scripture to their own faith. No where in schripture and a logical, rational case be made for forcing one's interpretation and application on another individual. I know logical and rational are not proper descriptives of Jetts thought process. I am only wondering why he hasn't introducted language to make those crimes found in Exodus 21: 15, 17, Deut. 21:18-21, & Lev. 20:9 capital offenses in Oklahoma. After all, that's what the Bible says.
Wow.
One of the worst transgressions of all human beings---and one that we all commit from time to time---is to think, speak or act stupidly. Unfortunately, so far in the evolution of human brains there has been no cure for stupidity. I've read that one of Abraham Lincoln's favorite sayings was, "It is better to be thought stupid [by others] than to open your mouth and remove all doubt". And, no, there is not a "different salvation" for anyone in any condition. We are all saved by the grace of God, not because we can meet/need to meet any requirement for salvation, but because the grace of God extends to all human beings in any and all conditions and in any and all circumstances.
If the extential threat of White Christian Nationalism and Fascist Oligarchism were not so serious, Senator Jett's attempt to be a scholar of the book of Proverbs would be most laughable. It just goes to show, nust because you apparently have attended a Southern Baptist Church that does not guarantee that you are qualified to attempt to pontificate as to the meaning and application of scripture. Senator Jett's first problem is he is attempting to deal with one of the "Wisdom" books found in the Tanakh. The key word being "Wisdom". The rantings of the Senator clearly demonstrate his singular deficiency in that area. Furthermore, a "Foundamental" concept of how a scholar would address doing an exegesis of Scripture is totally absent. In other words, from a Biblical Scholarship perspective, this guy doesn't have a clue. Foundational to understanding scripture, in any book in the Tanakh or the New Testament, are three words - context, context, and context. Jeff doesn't have a scintila of understanding of the the historical, cultural or textual context for his use of a verse from Proverbs. The blessed thing about Soul and Bible Freedom is that every one is free to come to their own conclusions of how they understand and apply scripture to their own faith. No where in schripture and a logical, rational case be made for forcing one's interpretation and application on another individual. I know logical and rational are not proper descriptives of Jetts thought process. I am only wondering why he hasn't introducted language to make those crimes found in Exodus 21: 15, 17, Deut. 21:18-21, & Lev. 20:9 capital offenses in Oklahoma. After all, that's what the Bible says.