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MineralMan

(146,308 posts)
Fri Oct 13, 2017, 05:09 PM Oct 2017

The 'Whole Armor of God' didn't mean what the Right thinks it meant:

Ephesians 6:11-17King James Version (KJV)

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:


Paul wasn't talking about bullet proof vests, which have little to do with "breastplates of righeousness" and combat boots, which have little connection to the gospel of peace. He didn't mean for Christians to take up semi-auto rifles, either. They are not the "swords of the Spirit" in any way. There has apparently been some sort of misunderstanding by the "Christian" Right. It's metaphorical verse, not an order of arms.
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The 'Whole Armor of God' didn't mean what the Right thinks it meant: (Original Post) MineralMan Oct 2017 OP
So the Bible, in your view, is not meant to be read literally? guillaumeb Oct 2017 #1
Especially Paul safeinOhio Oct 2017 #2
While I do not agree with much of what Paul said, guillaumeb Oct 2017 #3
The history? MineralMan Oct 2017 #4
That depends on the reader. guillaumeb Oct 2017 #5
Actually, it doesn't. What is recorded either happened, MineralMan Oct 2017 #8
what history?? Angry Dragon Oct 2017 #9
The history of Saul/Paul. guillaumeb Oct 2017 #11
Tell me the history Angry Dragon Oct 2017 #12
One can read it in the Bible. eom guillaumeb Oct 2017 #13
You brought it up so you must know the history Angry Dragon Oct 2017 #14
That might hold even if I were to explain, but in the interest of dialogue........ guillaumeb Oct 2017 #15
What you say is true Angry Dragon Oct 2017 #16
I see a person living a life, and then having a life changing experience. guillaumeb Oct 2017 #17
Your faith does not make you happier?? Angry Dragon Oct 2017 #18
You misread, or I was unclear. guillaumeb Oct 2017 #19
I also believe that faith is a personal thing Angry Dragon Oct 2017 #20
Power is said to be addictive. For some. eom guillaumeb Oct 2017 #21
YES Angry Dragon Oct 2017 #22
The actual words in the text don't matter... NeoGreen Oct 2017 #6
Since at least the battle of the Milvian Bridge, CE 312, Voltaire2 Oct 2017 #7
longer than that Angry Dragon Oct 2017 #10

guillaumeb

(42,641 posts)
3. While I do not agree with much of what Paul said,
Fri Oct 13, 2017, 07:12 PM
Oct 2017

the history behind the Saul/Paul transformation is interesting.

guillaumeb

(42,641 posts)
5. That depends on the reader.
Fri Oct 13, 2017, 08:08 PM
Oct 2017

And there are conflicting stories about Paul. Biblical Archeology had some articles about this subject.

MineralMan

(146,308 posts)
8. Actually, it doesn't. What is recorded either happened,
Sat Oct 14, 2017, 09:54 AM
Oct 2017

or it did not. The interpretation of which it is belongs to the reader, but the truth does not.

guillaumeb

(42,641 posts)
15. That might hold even if I were to explain, but in the interest of dialogue........
Mon Oct 16, 2017, 08:03 PM
Oct 2017

I feel that everyone "sees" what they look for when reading the Bible.

Angry Dragon

(36,693 posts)
16. What you say is true
Mon Oct 16, 2017, 08:19 PM
Oct 2017

BUT you still don't answer the question
Perhaps if you stated the history it would allow others to see what you see and that would open up things they could ponder

guillaumeb

(42,641 posts)
17. I see a person living a life, and then having a life changing experience.
Mon Oct 16, 2017, 08:24 PM
Oct 2017

Similar to the lyrics of Amazing Grace. And I can identify with that experience. Do I feel that my faith makes me better, or smarter, or happier, or luckier than non-theists? No. I feel it is a personal thing that happened to me, and others.

guillaumeb

(42,641 posts)
19. You misread, or I was unclear.
Mon Oct 16, 2017, 08:28 PM
Oct 2017

Left out was " than non-theists" in my response. The previous response has been edited for clarity.

Angry Dragon

(36,693 posts)
20. I also believe that faith is a personal thing
Mon Oct 16, 2017, 08:42 PM
Oct 2017

However what I find is organized religion tries to control that faith

NeoGreen

(4,031 posts)
6. The actual words in the text don't matter...
Fri Oct 13, 2017, 09:51 PM
Oct 2017

...the only thing that matters is what they want to believe, regardless of the text.

Voltaire2

(13,033 posts)
7. Since at least the battle of the Milvian Bridge, CE 312,
Sat Oct 14, 2017, 08:47 AM
Oct 2017

Christianity has been linked with militarism. The christian god is two faced, it is the god of love and the god of war. Whatever the words in the texts might mean, the reality is obvious.

"True Christians" have been slaughtering in their god's name for 1700 years.

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