Comments on: Public Policy and Prophecy http://henrysthreads.com/2007/04/public-policy-and-prophecy/ Thoughts on Religion in the World from a passionate, moderate, liberal charismatic Christian Tue, 15 May 2012 14:29:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Henry Neufeld http://henrysthreads.com/2007/04/public-policy-and-prophecy/comment-page-1/#comment-38282 Henry Neufeld Mon, 23 Apr 2007 16:42:19 +0000 http://www.energionpubs.com/wordpress/?p=687#comment-38282 Actually I meant to say "you're right I intended to leave it aside." I meant that it was certainly not an accidental omission. Actually I meant to say “you’re right I intended to leave it aside.” I meant that it was certainly not an accidental omission.

]]> By: Henry Neufeld http://henrysthreads.com/2007/04/public-policy-and-prophecy/comment-page-1/#comment-38281 Henry Neufeld Mon, 23 Apr 2007 16:40:45 +0000 http://www.energionpubs.com/wordpress/?p=687#comment-38281 Oh, that's a topic I've touched on a few times, and you're right to leave it aside at this point. One thing it illustrates, however, is how Christians can <em>intend</em> to apply Biblical commands to public policy and yet disagree quite reasonably about what the application actually is. Oh, that’s a topic I’ve touched on a few times, and you’re right to leave it aside at this point. One thing it illustrates, however, is how Christians can intend to apply Biblical commands to public policy and yet disagree quite reasonably about what the application actually is.

]]> By: Henry Neufeld http://henrysthreads.com/2007/04/public-policy-and-prophecy/comment-page-1/#comment-38280 Henry Neufeld Mon, 23 Apr 2007 16:39:13 +0000 http://www.energionpubs.com/wordpress/?p=687#comment-38280 Indeed, and Peter Kirk's comment (following) brings up yet another issue. Indeed, and Peter Kirk’s comment (following) brings up yet another issue.

]]> By: Peter Kirk http://henrysthreads.com/2007/04/public-policy-and-prophecy/comment-page-1/#comment-38279 Peter Kirk Mon, 23 Apr 2007 16:31:35 +0000 http://www.energionpubs.com/wordpress/?p=687#comment-38279 Henry, one issue which you have perhaps deliberately and wisely avoided here is the one of whether we should take our Christian ethics from the Old Testament or from Jesus' teaching such as in the Sermon on the Mount. I certainly don't want to tackle this controversial issue in this comment. But we can't decide whether things like the death penalty are "biblical" without deciding how far we should be bound by Old Testament ethics. Henry, one issue which you have perhaps deliberately and wisely avoided here is the one of whether we should take our Christian ethics from the Old Testament or from Jesus’ teaching such as in the Sermon on the Mount. I certainly don’t want to tackle this controversial issue in this comment. But we can’t decide whether things like the death penalty are “biblical” without deciding how far we should be bound by Old Testament ethics.

]]> By: John http://henrysthreads.com/2007/04/public-policy-and-prophecy/comment-page-1/#comment-38273 John Mon, 23 Apr 2007 15:37:58 +0000 http://www.energionpubs.com/wordpress/?p=687#comment-38273 I would say that yes, there are ethical teachings. But do you notice the gap here? Witherington’s answer will be that we should not be bearing arms. But I can still see quite a difference between the ethical imperative for me, as a Christian, and the public policy issue.

Exactly. Even if we accept that Christians should not bear arms, that does not mean that Christians may (ironically) use force to prevent others from doing the same. Christians should not worship false gods, but to follow Witherington’s logic, Christians should also seek the ban of all religions except their own.

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