Over the past couple days I've been reading a thread at http://www.topix.net/forum/city/erie.pa called "Why I Left Christianity." One of the posters has been quoting verses of Scripture, mostly from the Old Testament, which most people would find difficult or impossible to understand or accept. Someone said she was quoting out of context. This evening she raised a criticism with which I have to agree. "We" quote John 3:16 out of context all the time.
I also have to agree with her next statement: that whether John 3:16 is in context or out, it's bizarre. Think about it. Why would any god in his right mind love the world - given how the world has treated him - enough to give anything, let alone his only begotten son - so that anyone (not just those who are "special") who believes (just believes, not deserves) should not perish but have eternal life? If there is a more bizarre concept, it doesn't come to mind.
Her point and conclusion will probably be simple: if it is as bizarre as we agree that it is, then it cannot possibly be true. My point and conclusion is equally simple: even if it is as bizarre as we agree that it is, that doesn't mean it's not true. In fact, it is more likely to be true because it's bizarre. Would you have come up with such an off-the-wall idea?
Have you thanked God for being bizarre recently?
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