From: wiggins@cs.odu.edu (Samuel E Wiggins)
Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian
Subject: Bible quotes regarding Christian sex
Date: 30 Sep 92 05:25:54 GMT

Hmm.  Interesting response by Mr. jcarrol@ferris.  Since I seemed to have picked
this up from the response, let me just say that I definitely NOT a legalist.
However, I believe like the apostle Paul does, that the Mosaic law was good
in that it defined what things were/are considered sinful.  Paul's letter to
the Roman Christians argues this point (especially well in ch. 7, v. 7-13).

About the meanings you derived from the verses I referred to: yep, I gathered
the exact same thing from them (whether we agree with the penalty or not).
There're not too many ways to read those verses.

As for the "non-Christian" verses I quoted, I believe there was some difference
between us on the meaning of Christian.  Whereas Mr. jcarroll@ferris took the
term "Christian" to refer to something that The Lord said or did Himself (not
an incorrect view of the word), I took it in the more common view of what we
Christians (i.e., of Christpertaining to Christ, followers of Christ) might
hold as good principles gleaned from all over the Bible.  This would include
adhering to the Law, not in the letter (e.g., do something bad = punishment
or death), but in the Spirit (i.e., agree that something is wrong and not do
it).

And, of course, this is what Jesus Himself taught (Matt. 5:17-20).  The 
emphasis was, I must stress, living out the spirit of the Law and not being
so hypocritical, legalistic, and nit-picky as the Pharisees who were supposed
to know and do this.  He never nullified the Law, He showed what the meanings
were behind the letters.  So, then Christianity and the Law are tied together.
A Christian living like he ought, would by default be keeping the Law, right?

Therefore, I included the references I did.  But, yours could have served as
well, even better.  While Jesus did not really condemn the adulteress of 
John 8:1-11, He didn't say adultery was OK, either.  In fact, He said
explicitly regarding this, "Don't do it anymore" in John 8:11.  And in Matt.
5:28, when He says, "he who looks on a woman to lust for her has committed
adultery with her already in his heart," isn't He giving the lusting a _bad_
connotation?  He is.  In fact, He (figuratively, I hope!) says its better for
us to cut off a part of our body that gets us into trouble, than let it rule
our thinking/lives and lead us to hell (Matt. 5:29-30).

So, I'm not quite sure what the point of that response was, but I know that
Jesus and the Law don't conflict.  In fact, each reference the other.  Now,
if Mr. jcarroll meant to blow off the Law, it's impossible, because Jesus is
the fulfillment and embodiment of the Law.  He's the Law exemplified.  He
shows us the context and meaning of the Law.  And, the Law pointed to Him.
And, yes *we* have all failed at keeping it.  However, one cannot blow off the
Law simply because we're all sinners.  That's like saying, "Everyone's sinning
so it's OK."  Yes, the Law in defining sin, mainly condemns, because we find
out most of what we like to do is 'sinful.'  But, again, it is good, because
it tells us what God thinks is wrong to do and He gives us the opportunity
not to fall into those traps by telling us through the Law's commandments
(again, see Romans ch. 7).

And, one more thing, what's wrong with Paul?  He has some good CHRISTIAN ideas,
doesn't he?

--Sam W.

P.S.  I didn't use my Strong's for this reply.
P.P.S.  Paul was an awesome guy (not like Jesus, but cool for a regular, human
dude).