Friday, May 8, 2009

WWJD?

From Matthew 21:18-22 (King James Version)

For those conservatives who have issues swearing.

18Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered.

19And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.

20And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!

21Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.

22And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.


I tried not to parse the passage by taking it out of context. But I think it's pretty clear what happened. A time for everything under the sun.

3 comments:

  1. Let me hazard a guess:

    On encountering a fig tree with no fruit, Jesus enquired whether the fig tree's dick would touch its arse....whereupon receiving an affirmative answer, he told the tree to go fuck itself?

    The one I really enjoy is the command "Go forth and multiply!"....think about it.

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  2. Not only did you take the text out of context, you equivocated between the words “swearing” and “profanity.” Yes, in some cases the word “swearing” denotes uttering an obscenity, but other times it refers to a promise or oath, as in “I swear to tell the truth.” In this case, however, the word “swearing” isn’t even applicable. Unfortunately, you confused “swearing” for “curse,” or “imprecation.” And, yes, the word “curse” can be synonymous with an obscenity, but it can also denote an imprecation, as in this instance, and to confuse the two is sort of like somebody confusing you for a scholar.

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  3. "But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court;
    and whoever says to his brother, `You good-for-nothing,' shall be guilty before the supreme
    court; and whoever says, `You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. (Matthew
    5:22)

    The word Jesus uses here for “Good for nothing” is “Raka.” Doesn’t sound like a big deal.
    Here’s what the Adam Clarke Commentary says:
    “Raca:” From the Hebrew “rak,” to be empty. It signifies a vain, empty, worthless fellow,
    shallow brains, a term of great contempt. Such expressions were punished by a heavy fine.
    “You fool:” Such an expression was punished by cutting out the tongue, and thrusting a hot
    iron, of ten fingers breadth, into the mouth of the person who used it.

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