James-2:8-bsb

You do well when you obey the Holy Writings which say, “You must love your neighbor as you love yourself”~ James 2:8 NLV Dear Guy who called my views on marriage naïve (AKA Tim), Contrary to ho……

You do well when you obey the Holy Writings which say, “You must love your neighbor as you love yourself”~ James 2:8 NLV Dear Guy who called my views on marriage naïve (AKA Tim), Contrary to ho……

Church leaders declared that the enslavement of other persons is “contrary to the laws of God.” In 1785, the first Book of Discipline published by the Methodists included a piece of church legislation that any church member who buys or sells slaves is “immediately to be expelled” from membership, “unless they buy them on purpose to free them.” In 1800, the General Conference issued a “Pastoral Letter on Slavery.” It said “the whole spirit of the New Testament militates in the strongest manner against the practice of slavery.” That pastoral letter directed annual conferences to appeal to the legislatures in their respective states for the emancipation of slaves. And it called for “the universal extirpation of this crying sin.” So the documented history of Methodism makes clear that the founders of the church considered slavery to be “evil.” Forty-four years after the General Conference enacted church laws to demand that Methodists free their slaves or leave the church and to insist that Methodists take public antislavery steps, the denomination decided to divide. As the above article makes clear, John Wesley,”Denied that it was acceptable for anyone to be excused from judgment on the grounds that one was not personally a slave owner.” In our day, we might say, “Yes, she or he is a slave to sin, but what is that to me?” Worse, we call slavery, freedom.…

“Do not arouse or awaken love until is so desires.” Song of Solomon, 2:5 My Father, may you help my wife and I love each other in the same way you love each of us. “Are the rich not the ones who slander the nobel name of Christ?” James 2:7 Lord, may those in power […]…

Keep the royal law? Aren’t we under grace? Why would any New Testament book call us to keep the royal law? The phrase in James 2:8 is literally the law of the king. What king? (Hint: did the writer……

Lubber Opinion The views and opinions expressed by this lubber do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the crew. Reader discretion be advised. – Staff An excerpt from “Slavery and the founders of Methodism“ In 1774, John Wesley published his “Thoughts Upon Slavery.” The founder of the Methodist movement insisted that […]…

Here’s a simple, interactive introduction to the first Psalm, with some thought-provoking questions to stimulate group discussion or your own meditation.…

Feeling restless? There may be a reason. In my student days we filled up the car during the week, since only a few rostered stations were open on Sunday. You could buy a newspaper at the Deli, but none of the big shops were open. And they closed for public...…

Love God with abandonment, and love your neighbor as you love yourself. That central principle is the very heart and soul of Scripture.…

Here’s a simple, interactive introduction to the first Psalm, with some thought-provoking questions to stimulate group discussion or your own meditation.…