Posted by Rx on April 16, 2008 at 20:29:01:
In Reply to: What is your agenda in arguing for this? posted by Ross on April 16, 2008 at 15:44:44:
Good to hear from you Ross.
I hope all is well in Scotland.
Ross, I need no one's permission to marry a second spouse, and I would likely do so in a minit assuming the unfortunate woman was eligible AND wanted a wretch like me, and can relate to being a second wife... Not seven of nine tho, like the average North American.
I am neither a Deacon, a Bishop, a King, a woman, nor have I divorced any women, and I believe I can 'afford' it. Those are the criteria I see in scripture, save obeying the civil law, so there remains a civil condition:
Assuming my first wife's act of divorce is the sole satisfaction that the civil authories require, it seems that I may take a second wife, offending neither state nor my Creator.
The "door is open" as you say, not only for me, but for any man of that description, I would have to say.
I do not know why heaven would forbid it, but its clear that the church would forbid it. This was infact fortold in scripture.
"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry... If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ..."
I doubt the Holy Spirit would speak against what scripture clearly calls sin, so that leaves the question "where is the evidence that this is sin? "
Ross, it is a common strategy, when people I have challenged on those two issues have found themselves without that evidence, to find them questioning my reputation and motives instead. I have to admit, I think you can do far more to sully my reputation if thats your goal. Ask the scots for help. But surely Bonnie has already beat us to it: (Let every man be a liar)... As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one...
Indeed, I suspect most Christians believe they can't sin. Why else would a Pastor in town here "wed" my wife to a third husband? Sheesh Ross, why did Christ die if there is no sin? When I invited him to a public discussion on the topic he declined. He is a preacher and a member of the local "toast masters" public speaking club.
Is it up to the church to say what is and isnt sin without giving SOMETHING of a scriptural evidence?
Ross, my original post at the beginning of this thread cited my agenda: I am purely amazed that the people of God have bought into these two lies, "lock, stock, and barrel", without reservation.
By the definition I see in scripture for "marriage", it seems the MAJORITY of westerners are polygamists shortly after they are out of their teens: most of them "adulterously".
Do I have need of a greater reason? Then I add the church's crime against me. For that I sit on my hands hourly, with some means: But rather, I search the sky for comets, and the green hills of earth for for a sanctuary for children.
"...for he that is least among you all,
the same shall be great..."