Prodigal Son Distorted by FB Pastor - Page 17

OldPathsII · #**161** 02-02-2011, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Socialite

Where is that in the story?

And after knowing more about the audience, their reaction, etc... I'm not sure why that would even be part of the story. It's like taking a metaphor too long. This isn't a true story, it's a parable. And in this story is you and I.

The story doesn't linger on the why, or even much about his leaving. We get this:

'Father, I want right now what's coming to me.'

12-16"So the father divided the property between them. It wasn't long before the younger son packed his bags and left for a distant country.

I'm not denying that, if we see ourselves in this story, by the very implication, living lives our ways means not His way. And even, in rebellion to his commandments. But this isn't a character, role or feature of the story. When you bring something into a still shot, you lose focus of the picture that was intended. Keep the focus and meaning of this story on the right things.

Where is that in the story? Are you serious? Do you need every little thing spelled out for you? The bible says the son went and lived a horrible lifestyle. Do you need for there to be a verse that says, "And thus saith the Lord, that's not how he lived when he was at home"?

The story doesn't linger on the reasons why because it's so obvious the reasons why he left. I'm afraid the bible would have to be 400,000 long for people like you to truly follow God. You have to have everything spelled out just to your liking. You need verses like, "Thou shalt not smoke marijuana" in order to believe it's wrong. How sad.

Socialite · #**162** 02-02-2011, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

Not so much a Damascus road experience, but he knew enough to know he was wrong. It didn't have to be a Damascus road to "come to himself".

He cursed his father? Where does it imply that he did that? How is there "shame" in love?

That's just not in the story, PO.

I'll get back to you on the cursing stuff

It's fun to unpack these things from their historical context. Makes more sense the reason the Pharisees were upset by his story time that day.

Socialite · #**163** 02-02-2011, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldPathsII

Where is that in the story? Are you serious? Do you need every little thing spelled out for you? The bible says the son went and lived a horrible lifestyle. Do you need for there to be a verse that says, "And thus saith the Lord, that's not how he lived when he was at home"?

The story doesn't linger on the reasons why because it's so obvious the reasons why he left. I'm afraid the bible would have to be 400,000 long for people like you to truly follow God. You have to have everything spelled out just to your liking. You need verses like, "Thou shalt not smoke marijuana" in order to believe it's wrong. How sad.

No, we are just talking about a specific story and working at interpreting it. It's nice when our interpretations are based on the content of the story.

Tone down on me, or I'll report you. Sounding a little aggressive

Pressing-On · #**164** 02-02-2011, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Socialite

Those were rehearsed. It wasn't some heartfelt moment. It was all about getting back and living the high life again. Very little to do with heaven. All part of his plan.

He merited it????????????? What on earth are you reading, PO? He didn't know anything. He figured he'd work for a hired servant and earn his way back. He got back to the top instead, and the Father showered him with love and grace before he could spit the rest of his plan out.

This wasn't a "how to come to God to be saved" -- it was a "How God's grace comes to us and saves us."

Rehearsed and not heartfelt? He didn't have to say ANYTHING after his father fell on his neck, but he did. IMO, he wanted to make sure his father knew that he understood the severity of what he had done.

He didn't know anything? Who told him he had "sinned against heaven"? One of the pigs in the pig pen? "Hey, dude, I was reading your Bible and...." Okay, just kidding, but it would make a great movie! Okay, cartoon. LOL!

You are making him out to be a con-man. He was just a lost boy that needed his daddy.

Quote:

This wasn't a "how to come to God to be saved" -- it was a "How God's grace comes to us and saves us."

"For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion." Romans 9:15

Somewhere, in the grand scheme of things, it must begin at our heart and God takes it from there. Grace is extended according to our obedience.

"By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:" Romans 1:5

OldPathsII · #**165** 02-02-2011, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldPathsII

Where is that in the story? Are you serious? Do you need every little thing spelled out for you? The bible says the son went and lived a horrible lifestyle. Do you need for there to be a verse that says, "And thus saith the Lord, that's not how he lived when he was at home"?

The story doesn't linger on the reasons why because it's so obvious the reasons why he left. I'm afraid the bible would have to be 400,000 long for people like you to truly follow God. You have to have everything spelled out just to your liking. You need verses like, "Thou shalt not smoke marijuana" in order to believe it's wrong. How sad.

I've been advised that I should edit this post, but is it ok if I just apologize and leave it here as an example of what shouldn't be said and how apologies are sometimes necessary? I'm sorry, Socialite, for my harsh words. I'm afraid I got caught up in the swirl of conversation and fell victim to my flesh. In my passion to stand for Truth I sometimes express myself too strongly. Maybe I should fade off into the sunset as I did previously. It's possible that I'm not adding anything to this gathering but strife and I would never want to do that. Administration and Socialite, please accept my apologies.

Socialite · #**166** 02-02-2011, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

Rehearsed and not heartfelt? He didn't have to say ANYTHING after his father fell on his neck, but he did. IMO, he wanted to make sure his father knew that he understood the severity of what he had done.

He didn't know anything? Who told him he had "sinned against heaven"? One of the pigs in the pig pen? "Hey, dude, I was reading your Bible and...." Okay, just kidding, but it would make a great movie! Okay, cartoon. LOL!

You are making him out to be a con-man. He was just a lost boy that needed his daddy.

"For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion." Romans 9:15

Somewhere, in the grand scheme of things, it must begin at our heart and God takes it from there. Grace is extended according to our obedience.

"By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:" Romans 1:5

The context of his rehearsal was all in the same breath of him figuring out what he would. "I will tell him I've sinned against heaven (common Jewish response for repentance) and then work for a hired servant and get out of this pig farm." Nothing in there signifying a work of repentance in the son. No doubt, like any human, he felt bad. But mostly, he was coming back home because he spent all his money. Rob seems to think because he considered "the rules aren't so bad" (which you disagree) -- I lean more toward him genuinely wanting the Father's acceptance, but going about it in a way that most of us do. In spite of it, he was shown Grace --- even before his rehearsed story.

Grace is extended BEFORE our obedience. Let's get the Gospel the right way, PO.

Pressing-On · #**167** 02-02-2011, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldPathsII

Where is that in the story? Are you serious? Do you need every little thing spelled out for you? The bible says the son went and lived a horrible lifestyle. Do you need for there to be a verse that says, "And thus saith the Lord, that's not how he lived when he was at home"?

The story doesn't linger on the reasons why because it's so obvious the reasons why he left. I'm afraid the bible would have to be 400,000 long for people like you to truly follow God. You have to have everything spelled out just to your liking. You need verses like, "Thou shalt not smoke marijuana" in order to believe it's wrong. How sad.

This is what we are trying to get right - the civility. I took the liberty of re-wording your posts as way of example.

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldPathsII

Where is that in the story? The bible says the son went and lived a horrible lifestyle.

The story doesn't linger on the reasons why because it's so obvious the reasons why he left.

See? And you didn't have to spend much time typing it.

Socialite · #**168** 02-02-2011, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldPathsII

I've been advised that I should edit this post, but is it ok if I just apologize and leave it here as an example of what shouldn't be said and how apologies are sometimes necessary? I'm sorry, Socialite, for my harsh words. I'm afraid I got caught up in the swirl of conversation and fell victim to my flesh. In my passion to stand for Truth I sometimes express myself too strongly. Maybe I should fade off into the sunset as I did previously. It's possible that I'm not adding anything to this gathering but strife and I would never want to do that. Administration and Socialite, please accept my apologies.

Accepted.

I too get passionate sometimes and have been guilty of far greater crimes

MissBrattified · #**169** 02-02-2011, 06:28 PM

OldPathsII,

You don't need to go anywhere! Your views are valuable and I'm happy that you've joined and are participating. You've should have seen some of my posts the first few days I was on the forum (actually, it was at a predecessor of this one, the faithchildforum). I got myself into a lot of hot water right off the bat.

(And then I got my sister into hot water, too, but that's a long story....)

It takes a little bit to learn the ropes; please stick around!

Cindy · #**170** 02-02-2011, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldPathsII

I've been advised that I should edit this post, but is it ok if I just apologize and leave it here as an example of what shouldn't be said and how apologies are sometimes necessary? I'm sorry, Socialite, for my harsh words. I'm afraid I got caught up in the swirl of conversation and fell victim to my flesh. In my passion to stand for Truth I sometimes express myself too strongly. Maybe I should fade off into the sunset as I did previously. It's possible that I'm not adding anything to this gathering but strife and I would never want to do that. Administration and Socialite, please accept my apologies.

You are doing fine, OPII.