Originally posted by Charles
View Post
The fact is that sometimes you have to speak plainly and directly, to explicitly call out something as it is -- by its right name rather than sugar coat it. This was something that folks like Paul, John the Baptist and the prophets and even Jesus often did. They did not shrink from using harsh language to make their point and did not beat around the bush because they were scared they might upset someone's delicate sensibilities. Jesus did not come to make "nice" but rather was honest and forthright
For instance, look at what Christ said in Matthew 23:33 to the Pharisees: "You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell?" In the same exchange He repeatedly and explicitly referred to them as "hypocrites" (something you ought to be intimately familiar with) as well as "whitewashed tombs" (looks good on the outside but full of rot and uncleanness on the inside), "blind fools" and even "child of hell" (in John 8:44 He said "You are of your father the devil"[1]).
Earlier at His baptism He called the Pharisees and Sadducees a brood of vipers (Matthew 3:7) and again after casting out a demon He said "You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil?" (Matthew 12:34).
Moreover Jesus did far more than just use strong language. In the cleansing of the Temple account we are told in John 2 that Jesus made a whip or scourge out of cords and used it to drive out the money-changers (who's tables He overturned in the process).
But you would have us believe that Jesus was all about hugs and saying things like "can't we all just get along?" I think you would condemn Jesus as being unchristian
Finally, hypocrite that you are, you have never -- not even once -- called out anyone from "your side" for being uncivil or disrespectful. This reveals for everyone to see that you don't give a rat's hindquarters about civility or respect but instead merely seek to use them as a club to attack those you disagree with. If that wasn't the case, if you were truly wanting polite conversation then you would be chiding both sides.
1. Paul also called someone (Elymas the magician) "You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy" as recorded in Acts 13:10. Should he have hugged him and been cautious of hurting his feelings instead?
Comment