Mary, my dear friend, it is okay to own a slave – as long as said slave in not a Canadian?
by Charlie Leck
When it comes to the Bible, I guess we can take it or leave it! I think even by friend Mary, the Biblical literalist, would agree with that.
It’s all based on scripture, you know. That’s what my friend Mary tells me all the time. This matter of homosexuality, for example, is settled by what it says in Leviticus (which, I know, we all read all the time). The following is really ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL. You may have seen it elsewhere, but, in case you haven’t, here it is for your enjoyment. Thanks so much to University of Virginia Professor James M. Kauffman for writing it. Thanks to Andy Driscoll for passing it on to me.
Doctor Kauffman wrote the letter in response to Doctor Laura Schlesinger, who, on her radio show, said that, as an observant Orthodox Jew, homosexuality is an abomination according to Leviticus 18:22, and cannot be condoned under any circumstances.
Dear Dr. Laura:
Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination...End of debate.
I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some other elements of God's Laws and how to follow them.
1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?
2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?
3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of Menstrual uncleanliness - Lev.15: 19-24. The problem is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.
4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?
5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it?
6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination, Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this? Are there 'degrees' of abomination?
7. Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle-room here?
8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27.
How should they die?
9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?
10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev.19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? Lev.24:10-16. Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)
I know you have studied these things extensively and thus enjoy considerable expertise in such matters, so I'm confident you can help.
Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.
Your adoring fan.
James M. Kauffman, Ed.D. Professor Emeritus, Dept. Of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Education University of Virginia.
There you go, Mary! You can have a slave if you’d like, but no Canadians. In addition, dear, you are always so critical that I don’t approach the altar of God as I should. Leviticus 21:20 explains my hesitancy; however, now that I have had my cataract surgery, I wonder if I may, even though my eye sight is still only 25-20. What’s your opinion about that Mary?
If you don't mind , I'm going to link this post in the Food For Thought sidebar of my blog.
ReplyDeleteYou are very cute, and I can see you consider your self to be wise, forgetting that the wisdom of men is foolishness to god...I suppose you also have a brilliant explanation for the New testament scripture of Romans Chapter 1:26 & 27
ReplyDelete&28.
gene
"For this reason God gave them up to degrading passions. Their women exchanged natural intercourse for unnatural, and in the same way also the men, giving up natural intercourse with women, were consumed with passion for one another. Men committed shameless acts with men and received in their own persons due penalty for their error. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind and to do things that should not be done." [Romans 1:26-28]
ReplyDeleteThanks, Eugene, for your comments.
Remember, however, the explanation was not mine. I was reprinting another's creative thoughts.
As for me, God knows me thoroughly and I am his fool, who He uses as He will.
Paul, as you know, in his life, did not know Jesus in the flesh. He often shows that lack of acquaintance in his writings. Jesus' great compassion for the sick and sinner is not there as it is in John's and Peter's epistles. Jesus gave us a new law and a new commandment, as you know, and I like to use them as my guideline in discipleship. "In fear and trembling" I work out my own salvation with God.
Peace and Love, Charles.