The New Testament --or--I dwell in the land of disappointment

 

  Maybe I was hoping for a shinier happier version of the Old Testament or at least something more familiar. Either way I was wrong about what I would find. Okay, so there are some good things in Matthew. Jesus tells them that is not what they eat but what they say and believe that matters; I am all for that one. (Let them eat cheeseburgers) And I like that there is a lot of healing going on instead of war (I am sure this will not last long). Anyway, here are a few quotes that did not play into my shiny happy version of Jesus:

"Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother........" Matthew 10:34-39

"Verily I say unto you, that a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God" 19:23-24. This seems a bit narrow minded when recalling that Job was very rich and successful. Besides, there goes any hope of a good windows based computer program in heaven. And think of it-no Google.

   Then there is the griping about divorce. Honestly, this is what kept good people in bad or dangerous marriages. This bit of camel dung keeps people feeling guilty from the time he spouted it until the present. It does seem that people are finally getting over it. Let's hope.

  Additionally, I just honestly do not like the way Jesus speaks to his followers. You can hear the eye roll as he says for the millionth time, "Oh ye of little faith". Mostly, they are trying to follow the teachings they were given before. They are attempting to be faithful. Instead of teaching them a new way by pointing out the new rules he gets his pompous attitude and acts as if they should know better. Personally, I would have ditched him.

  I am hoping to get through Acts today (at least). Wish me luck.


Frazer quote for today comes from page 446:

"The most probable answer seems to be that the chiming of the holy bells was thought to drive far off the envious and wicked spirits who lurked abut the door of the sanctuary, ready to pounce on and carry off the richly apparelled minister as he stepped across the threshold in the discharge of his sacred office. "