What I find questionable about St. Paul's writings?"Scriptures quoted from the Holy Bible, New Century Version, copyright@ 1987,1988,1991 by Word Publishing, Dallas, Texas 75039. Used by permission." (I'm not sure if this particular Bible is common. But, it is interesting.) Romans 14:1-12 "1 Accept into your group someone who is weak in faith, and do not argue about opinions.2 One person believes it is right to eat all kinds of food. But another, who is weak, believes it is right to eat only vegetables.3 The one who knows that it is right to eat any kind of food must not reject the one who eats only vegetables. And the person who eats only vegetables must not think tht the one who eats all foods is wrong, because God has accpted that person.4 You cannot judge another person's servant. The master decides if the servant is doing well or not. And the Lord's servant will do well because the Lord helps him do well. 5 Some think that one day is more important than another, and others think that every day is the same. Let all be sure in their own mind.6 Those who think one day is more important than other days are doing that for the Lord. And those who eat all kinds of food are doing that for the Lord, and they give thanks to God. Others who refuse to eat some foods do that for the Lord, and they give thanks to God.7 We do not live or die for ourselves.8 If we live, we are living for the Lord, and if we die, we are dying for the Lord. So living or dying, we belong to the Lord. 9 The reason Christ died and rose from the dead to live again was so he would be Lord over both the dead and the living.10 So why do you judge your brothers or sisters in Christ? And why do you think you are better to be judged,11 because it is written in the Scriptures: 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'Everyone will bow before me; everyone will say that I am God'-Isaiah 45:23 12 So each of us will have to answer to God." I suppose that St. Paul is referring strictly to dietary rituals or doctrines. If he is talking about doctrines by his "food" reference, then is he saying that we are to accept each of our doctrines? I'm not sure. He is saying that God has the judgements, not man, for thoughs doctrines embraced and taught by man. What I find curios is that a man is allowed to practice his doctrine even when it may be considered to be in error. Paul does exactly say that the "weak in faith" are to be corrected. I supposed they are to be watched.

Asked by rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com) on September 14, 2004.

-- rod (elreyro@yahoo.com), September 15, 2004

Answers

So, how does that apply to a forum such as this one?

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-- rod (elreyro@yahoo.com), September 16, 2004.

not sure. He is saying that God has the judgements, not man, for thoughs doctrines embraced and taught by man. What I find curios is that a man is allowed to practice his doctrine even when it may be considered to be in error. Paul does exactly say that the "weak in faith" are to be corrected. I supposed they are to be watched.

-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), September 16, 2004.

Elpidio asked about what issues I may have with St. Paul.

BTW, it was required of me to post the "permission" before posting the Bible Scripture.

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-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), September 16, 2004.

Corrections:

He is saying that God has the judgements, not man, for [those] doctrines embraced and taught by man. What I find curios is that a man

-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), September 16, 2004.

First, an alternate translation...

1. Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.

2. For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.

3. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.

4. Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

5. One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

6. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.

7. For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.

8. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.

9. For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

10. But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

11. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

12. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

13. Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

14. I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

15. But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.

16. Let not then your good be evil spoken of:

17. For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

18. For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.

19. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

20. For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.

21. It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.

22. Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.

23. And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

-- ZAROVE (ZAROFF3@JUNO.COM), September 16, 2004.

believe Paul meant, that we should all come togather in christ, and not squabble over the details, ad diets, and customs of other Christains. its a lesson Protestants and Cahtolics need to learn, relaly.

Rather than claim one is of the Devil, or lead astray, or the other is lead by the Anti-Christ and is a flase Chruch, we shoudl work togathe rin the Unity of our Lord.

-- ZAROVE (ZAROFF3@JUNO.COM), September 16, 2004.

Just my take though...

-- ZAROVE (ZAROFF3@JUNO.COM), September 16, 2004.

...So, how does that apply to a forum such as this one?

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-- rod (elreyrod@yahoo.com), September 16, 2004.

rod,

I would say that this relates to the quote from Augustine: "In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity." While I think all or most of us could agree with the message of that quote, we would likely disagree on what constitues "essentials" and "liberty." Hopefully, though, we all see the need for charity :)

-- Emily ("jesusfollower7@yahoo.com), September 17, 2004.