(11/26/2012) Pornography from the Bible?

     Sexual imagery and language found in the holy writings are a topic, today, along with more on the value of the ancient text for modern believers. The “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “Philips” (Level 1 with 33 points, a member since December 24, 2011) posted the following:



How many Churches allow reading the pornographic Bible chapters to their masses?

Ezekiel Chapter 23

1 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, there were two women, daughters of the same mother. 3 They became prostitutes in Egypt, engaging in prostitution from their youth. In that land their breasts were fondled and their virgin bosoms caressed. 4 The older was named Oholah, and her sister was Oholibah. They were mine and gave birth to sons and daughters. Oholah is Samaria, and Oholibah is Jerusalem.

5 “Oholah engaged in prostitution while she was still mine; and she lusted after her lovers, the Assyrians—warriors 6 clothed in blue, governors and commanders, all of them handsome young men, and mounted horsemen. 7 She gave herself as a prostitute to all the elite of the Assyrians and defiled herself with all the idols of everyone she lusted after. 8 She did not give up the prostitution she began in Egypt, when during her youth men slept with her, caressed her virgin bosom and poured out their lust on her.

9 “Therefore I delivered her into the hands of her lovers, the Assyrians, for whom she lusted. 10 They stripped her naked............
This is only the first 10 verses - would the word of God contain such lewd language? Surely throughout time it has been changed
The language is so lewd that it had been banned in some countries; South Africa who did not know at the time that it was from the Bible.

"There she lusted after her lovers, whose genitals were like those of donkeys and whose emission was like that of horses." - Ezekiel 23:20

Why do Christian ministers not read it to their Sunday congregation then?

The rest can be found in the link below

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+23&version=NIV



THE BATTLE AXE: A Text for Lives Today (11/25/2012)—In the same way that our carnal and physical needs continue by our living on the earth, mankind’s need for spiritual substance continues. Such elements as confidence, humility, joy, longsuffering, patience, righteousness, wisdom, and even holiness are transmitted by the holy scriptures to all who submit to its truth. The Bible may be viewed as a collection of precepts and principles pertaining to being and existence, and that make holy substance visible through actions and events. The power of scripture to influence choice and decision-making is a surface aspect of its full work within the believer. Clarity, consistency, focus, and purity of purpose are put into place as well as breadth, depth, dimension, and comprehensive vision.



THE GOLDEN ARROW: When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: (Colossians 3: 4-10, King James Version)



THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Why “Mysterious” (11/11/2012); Before the Fruit? (11/10/2012); Attending Church (11/12/2012); A Holy Kiss? (11/13/2012); Mockers in the Last Times (11/14/2012); Spirit Matter (10/21/2012); Caesarea Philippi (10/22/2012); The Spirit is Willing (10/20/2012)



     In the experience of the church, those who seek to condemn teachings from the holy writings usually have not been guided by the Holy Spirit sent forth by GOD and his Christ. Respecting you as a believer, I ask you to consider the following:

     The Bible is not written to amuse, arouse, and entertain those who have prurient interests (we say “dirty minds”). The Scriptures are set apart (sanctified) as a tool to educate and inform mankind regarding the presence of GOD throughout Creation. Saying this another way, the Bible is a peculiar revelation that makes GOD known and visible to believers.

     GOD has, in fact, established reality and truth for sexual behavior among created beings and living creatures. Appetite for sexual activity is no different than appetite for food (hunger) or drink (thirst); and is with the living from birth to death. In the same way intelligence, logic and reason are used to discipline, limit and restrain hunger and thirst, yet may not fulfill either or eliminate the pair, cravings for sex must be directed, structured, and not allowed to rule through animal instinct.

     The Scriptures include many cautions and warnings regarding sexual behavior, because sin (an influence opposing the existence of divinity, sacred law, and divine Creation) may dominate self-will in created beings and living creatures. Sin cannot be detected without using special tools provided by GOD (e.g., law, sacred history, the life of Christ, the imparted indwelling Spirit). Very different from the idea of “original sin,” believers must come to discern and recognize the operation of sin upon and through the flesh (appetite, sensation, and mind). What seems to be “natural” and “normal” entails consequences for the content of the endowment of divine person deposited by GOD within ones spirit.

     There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, language describing marriage, sexual encounters and warfare are often used throughout the Scriptures because it is vivid, immediate, graphic and memorable. Most pastors and leaders choose the peculiar presentation of language that they use (just as you have) with the purpose of edifying, sharing insight, and uplifting others. They could stand in the pulpit using cheap talk, four-letter-words, slang, and “street language” to shock, shame and embarrass. However, in doing so, they would only wrongly portray themselves and their motives, and misrepresent the person of Jesus.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.


THE BLACK PHOENIX 
Washington, DC