🚀 go-pugleaf

Michael David Jones wrote in message <71g3c8$1s4s@alumni.rpi.edu>...

>>I don't know - I'm not Catholic, and so generally consider the Pope to be
as
>>fallible as Jerry Falwell.  Has the Pope used that argument specifically
in
>>relation to the elimination of the death penalty?
>
>Yes. He issued an encyclical, Humana Vitae, on the sacredness of human
>life.


If it was in the particular context we're referring to then, yes, I'd
consider that the Pope was in error.

>>>Here we go again. John, do you also feel bound by all the dietary
>>>prohibitions in Leviticus, or are you cherry picking?


>>Let's put it this way.  I believe that if a person could, throughout their
>>entire life, conform to each and every one of the requirements of Mosaic
law
>>without a single error, they would achieve salvation.  I also believe that
>>it's impossible for anyone to do it, which is why the New Testament
>>provisions exist to release those who choose to enter into that covenant
>>from the required punishment.

>So based on that description, you would disagree with Jesus' statemen
>that "the only way to the Father is through Me" in the New Testament?
>Complete conformation to Mosaic law is an alternative?


No, I agree with that statement completely, as I feel that complete
confirmation to Mosaic law is not humanly possible.  To make it even more
confusing, if it *were* possible, it would only work for those of Jewish
descent.

>>>>Of course, I fully expect that someone will probably bring up the old
"but
>>>>that's the Old Testament" argument in response, but the fact is that the
>>>>Old Testament law still applies, and the covenant of the New Testament
>>>>only applies to those who honestly and sincerely choose to enter into
>>>>that covenant relationship.  Even for them, it provides only forgiveness
>>>>by God, which is not a blanket immunity to punishment.


>>>Of course it's the Old Testament. The question is whether you take the
>>>*whole* Old Testament that seriously or just the parts that support
>>>your opinions.


>>All of it.

>So you keep kosher and don't sleep with your wife during her period?


No, I don't keep kosher, and I do sleep with my wife during her period.  In
terms of punishment, those are some of the more minor laws I break on a
daily basis.  That doesn't make the laws themselves wrong, or that I don't
take them seriously, it only means that I'm not perfect.