bylm1-Bernie

Hi, DB. I had to read your piece a couple of times. Could hardly believe what you were saying. Still not sure I know. Anyway, my former pastor was a Superman freak. I mean he really got turned on by Superman stuff. We would buy him Superman mementos and S-man stuff whenever we could. It was all a fun, good-natured thing. I couldn't care less how people occupy their time or what hobbies they have. I love fishing and golf but I still recognize the difference and the line between them. I don't worship fishing or golf. They aren't going to do a thing for me after I assume room temperature. I wouldn't get so freaked out about that Darth Vader stuff. I believe you are dealing with intelligent people here. Not only that, the Gospel is for everyone. Not just for those who have a certain IQ. I love everyone. Really. I may say some pretty bad things about people once in a while but if it comes to life or death (eternal) I don't wish bad things for anyone. Even Obama. God loves them all and who am I to try to overrule Him.

Rufus Loc: Deep South

Amen.

Dummy Boy Loc: Michigan

You declared that the bible is scholarly, and is supported by scholars. Those scholars are theologians? Other disciplines (other scholars) have chimed in about the bible, but any high school teacher can find many discrepancies, thus in my opinion shouldn't imply that the bible is even a historic document if you look at the New Testament alone. It is a fiction, just like Star Wars. I was using an analogy to ask about how you felt about an example of popular fiction being real. Of course (maybe I'm taking some liberties about your gullibility), Star Wars isn't real, but there are many kids and adults that "act" like it is. Scholars use it as an example of a classic and simple story to teach people: how to write fiction. Just because it is written in a variety of languages and has sold millions of copies does it mean it's real.

I am dismayed that I wasn't clear so to help you grasp the fact that a lot of people don't see the bible any differently than they see "Star Wars" or "Superman". They talk to you and your enthusiasm for the word of God and their confidence in your ability to think for yourself drops to zero because they see you in a costume as if you are heading to a Star Wars convention, except your costume is a guy with long hair a beard and sandals. Among other followers of Christ or God, you may be considered an elder or a deacon, or a sage because you're so knowledgeable about the bible. That is what "I'm driving at", you see the world in color and others see it in undefined shapes and colorless. And you see it through only one looking glass.

Why is that important? Because there are people who have made up their mind, they are intelligent and stupid, rich and poor, successful and unsuccessful.

Near the end of his life, Martin Luther declared: “All I have done is put forth, preach and write the Word of God, and apart from this I have done nothing. . . . It is the Word that has done great things. . . . I have done nothing; the Word has done and achieved everything.”

You are a vessel, it matters not what YOU think YOU can accomplish. Let go of it, and you will look a lot wiser. If someone doesn't want to talk about the bible, you're done.

bylm1-Bernie

It makes no difference how they see the truth. They will still have to sit in judgment. I am not responsible for how they see the truth. The fact is, it is the truth. If they want to accept it, they will be blessed. If not, it is their decision. Each of us will have to make that decision.
No, if they don't want to talk about the Bible, I'm not done. They are. Have a good life.