Hi Pinko,
I would like to have a discussion with you; however please review the red highlited part of your post
in relation to the scriptures i posted below.
Jesus was not Crucified for treason to Rome. You say; you have read all of Rays papers and listened to all the audio; so why then are you finding
contradiction. I am not disputing just asking for clarification of your post and the Scriptures.
I've been reading here for about 8 or 10 months I suppose...Have read everything Ray has writ and listened to all the bible teachings on audio. And I am grateful for all he's shared with us. Most of which, I believed inside already, only couldn't reconcile it with scripture as I'd been dutifully indoctrinated during my life in 'Christendom'... But now I know better.
One area of thought I've not seen much from Ray, however is his views on the state and politics in general. I'm an anarchist, as I believe Jesus was (and is).. And I've recently seen what could be considered a "contradiction" in the NT teachings of Paul and Peter vs. those of Jesus. But, I know, 'the scriptures do not contradict'...which is why I'm asking.
Paul's notorious pericope in Romans 13 is a problem.. It's a stumbling block for many.. I've probably read more commentary on this passage than most and none have remedied my cognitive dissonance. Perhaps some here can help?
Here's my dilemma: Paul says "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God and those authorities who exist have been instituted by God. Therefore, whoever resists authority resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment."
Then of course, there's 1 Peter 2:13-18...(you guys can read it yourselves)...More of the same.
Now I know much of the NT teachings seem to contradict this teaching--in spirit--if not in letter, but one incident in particular is recorded in 3 of the Gospels---namely Jesus' temptation by Satan, wherein he was offered "all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, 'To you I will give their glory and all this authority, for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If you then will worship me, it will all be yours.'"
Jesus did not dispute this claim of Satan that all earthly (governmental) authority--all states--were rightfully the Devil's; were given to him; and therefore flowed from him to all the kings of the earth.
How then does this passage not undeniably refute Paul's (and Peter's) claim that 'all government authority comes from God.'...and that we should even "honor the emperor" (and thus his 'authority')?
Jesus had nothing but utter disdain for the 'governing authorities' of his day..Matter of fact, he was actually executed for the crime of treason to Rome.. Remember he was brought before Pilate with the accusation that "We found this man perverting our nation, forbidding us to pay taxes to the emperor, and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king." (Lk 23:1-2) None of which were denied...
How then can Jesus and Paul both be right?
11-And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Are you the King of the Jews? And Jesus said to him, You say.
12-And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.
13-Then said Pilate to him, Hear you not how many things they witness against you?
14-And he answered him to never a word; so that the governor marveled greatly.
15-Now at that feast the governor was wont to release to the people a prisoner, whom they would.
16-And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.
17-Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said to them, Whom will you that I release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?
18-For he knew that for envy they had delivered him.
19-When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, Have you nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.
20-But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.
21-The governor answered and said to them, Whether of the two will you that I release to you? They said, Barabbas.
22-Pilate said to them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say to him, Let him be crucified.
23-And the governor said, Why, what evil has he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.
24-When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see you to it. 25-Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.
26-Then released he Barabbas to them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.
george.