From: rolfe@DSUVAX.DSU.EDU (Tim Rolfe)
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.christia
Subject: FIS --- Frequently Ignored Scriptures
Date: 11 Oct 92 19:44:05 GMT
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU

Instead of "Frequently Asked Questions", perhaps we need a "Frequently
Ignored Scripture" section here.  One of the regulars here has a
persistent anti-Catholic .signature; perhaps the principle of private
interpretation that allowed Luther to toss out James in favor of
Romans also allows people to toss out the inconvenient parts of
Romans, such as "Let not him who eats despise him who abstains, and
let not him who abstains pass judgment on him who eats; for God has
welcomed him.  Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of
another?"  Or again, "Why do you pass judgment on your brother?  Or
you, why do you despise your brother? . . .  Then let us no more pass
judgment on one another, but rather decide never to put a stumbling
block or hindrance in the way of a brother."

Those who, in the strength of their Faith, feel assured of their
salvation might listen to this:  "We who are strong ought to bear with
the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves;  let each of us
please his neighbor for his good, to edify him.  For Christ did not
please himself; but, as it is written,  'The reproaches of those who
reproached thee fell on me.'  For whatever was written in former days
was written for our instruction, that by steadfastness and by the
encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope."  ---Strange how
many of the people who lean on this last verse seem to ignore the
first!

Lest I be accused of pulling proof-texts out of context, the complete
section of Romans follows.

                                              --- Tim Rolfe
                                           rolfe@dsuvax.dsu.edu
                                            ROLFE@SDNET.BITNET

Romans 14:1-15:13 (RSV)   As for the man who is weak in faith, welcome
him, but not for disputes over opinions.  One believes he may eat
anything, while the weak man eats only vegetables.  Let not him who
eats despise him who abstains, and let not him who abstains pass
judgment on him who eats; for God has welcomed him.  Who are you to
pass judgment on the servant of another?  It is before his own master
that he stands or falls.  And he will be upheld, for the Master is
able to make him stand.  One man esteems one day as better than
another, while another man esteems all days alike.  Let every one be
fully convinced in his own mind.  He who observes the day, observes it
in honor of the Lord.  He also who eats, eats in honor of the Lord,
since he gives thanks to God; while he who abstains, abstains in honor
of the Lord and gives thanks to God.  None of us lives to himself, and
none of us dies to himself.  If we live, we live to the Lord, and if
we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we
die, we are the Lord's.  For to this end Christ died and lived again,
that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.  Why do you
pass judgment on your brother?  Or you, why do you despise your
brother?  For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God; for
it is written, "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,
and every tongue shall give praise to God."  So each of us shall give
account of himself to God.  Then let us no more pass judgment on one
another, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance
in the way of a brother.  I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus
that nothing is unclean in itself; but it is unclean for any one who
thinks it unclean.  If your brother is being injured by what you eat,
you are no longer walking in love.  Do not let what you eat cause the
ruin of one for whom Christ died.  So do not let your good be spoken
of as evil.  For the kingdom of God is not food and drink but
righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit;  he who thus
serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men.  Let us then
pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.  Do not, for
the sake of food, destroy the work of God.  Everything is indeed
clean, but it is wrong for any one to make others fall by what he
eats;  it is right not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that
makes your brother stumble.  The faith that you have, keep between
yourself and God; happy is he who has no reason to judge himself for
what he approves.  But he who has doubts is condemned, if he eats,
because he does not act from faith; for whatever does not proceed from
faith is sin.
   We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak, and
not to please ourselves;  let each of us please his neighbor for his
good, to edify him.  For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is
written,  "The reproaches of those who reproached thee fell on me."
For whatever was written in former days was written for our
instruction, that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the
scriptures we might have hope.  May the God of steadfastness and
encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in
accord with Christ Jesus,  that together you may with one voice
glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Welcome one
another, therefore, as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show
God's truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the
patriarchs,  and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his
mercy. As it is written, "Therefore I will praise thee among the
Gentiles, and sing to thy name";  and again it is said, "Rejoice, O
Gentiles, with his people";  and again, "Praise the Lord, all
Gentiles, and let all the peoples praise him";  and further Isaiah
says, "The root of Jesse shall come, he who rises to rule the
Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles hope."  May the God of hope fill
you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the
Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU