2) Under all the theological posts, the big-word jargon, and everything else…who are you really at the end of the day?

3) And to solve an age-old dispute, which is really better..coffee or tea?

- –thanks

“Or, regard the Mosaic endorsement of capital punishment. Can this be justified on New Testament grounds? Yes, in two ways. First, in Romans 13:4, Paul speaks of our governmental leaders who do not ‘bear the sword in vain.’ Obviously, the sword is not used for correction but for execution, and Paul acknowledges this right. Paul does not bother to provide an extensive list of what crimes are rightly punishable by death, but the right itself is assumed. Also, there is the pre-Mosaic stipulation that murder is an attack on God’s character (Genesis 9:6). Murder is a personal attack on God is a notion that is not confined to the Old Covenant alone; it remains a capital offense in every age.” (pgs. 158–159)

The second point he makes is weak, but certainly citing Romans 13 is a big passage. I’m admittely not comfortable with the fact that Paul condoned government’s use of capital punishment, but it seems to be Paul’s teaching. Jesus and the other apostles submitted the ruling set down by governments which Paul says in Romans 13 are put there by God.

(2) Well, the issue of capital punishment is alluded to here. Paul says in Romans 13 that governments don’t bear the sword in vain, but I have issue with the death penalty. Anyway, war is never a good option. God led the Israelities into war, but it was for Canaan which no longer has any Biblical significance besides being a shadow of the New Jerusalem (Rev 21; Heb 11). Jesus says that if someone hits you turn the other cheek. Self-defense itself might not be an adequate reason for death.

(3) Hmmm…cheescake.

(1) Systematic theology is something that has gotten a bad wrap mostly, because Christian don’t realize what an integral part it takes in their own study of the Bible. For instance, say I want to know what the Bible says about prayer; I would then go throughout the Bible and look at all the verses that talk about prayer, analyze them, and come to a systematic conclusion. Imagine if we tried to base our entire perception on things like salvation, prayer, end times, the church, and even the Bible itself on only one passage–it would be foolish! This is what systematic theology helps us to put together. Romans is essentially the first work in systematic theology: God’s general revelation and supression (chap 1), natural law and regeneration (2), chap 3 stars on Law, justification by faith (4/5), original sin (5), purpose of Law (7/8), predestination/election/eternal security (8/9), the relation of the church to Israel (9–11), missions (10/15), Christians and civil government (13), concious (14), and so on.

(2) At the end of the day I’m still reading crazy theology books. It really is not a front. I do like to joke around, and you can often catch me at moments being anything other than serious; but you have to be in the right place at the right time. The theology posts I do, because it really is what is on my mind. I did this post instead of just making something up to look smart!

(3) That’s a no-brainer: coffee. Particularly a non-fat, decaf, caramel latte!

2) Under all the theological posts, the big-word jargon, and everything else…who are you really at the end of the day?

3) And to solve an age-old dispute, which is really better..coffee or tea?

(2) While having paper cuts all over you and thrown into a vat of salt water would really suck, it’d be better than looking at tub girl.

(3) Dude, impossible. No bun for the sausage.