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Hot Topic (More than 10 Replies) Is it Still Birth?  [ Revised 2/19 ] (Read 189 times)
Just_Daniel
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Slow down; things will
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nas...
Reply #4 - Jan 1st, 1970 at 12:00am
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nas wrote on Jan 1st, 1970 at 12:00am:
Hi Daniel

I must admit I'm struggling to get past the image of a dead baby that your title gives.

Well, in this case, the dead baby is a 'faith' that is stillborn... that is therefore not faith at all, in the Scriptural sense.  That is what James is talking about.  As I said to Don, I am quite sure that you know many who have a 'faith' that has no consequent effect upon their actions.  James is addressing those persons.  He agrees with you that their faith is 'lifeless'... 'dead'.

The other meaning of my title fits also with this passage, so that it is asking, in effect... If 'faith' just sits there, lifeless, is it still 'faith' ?  Has it been born at all ?  His answer is 'No.'


And I don't know James 2 so can't really comment on the rest until I've looked at it.

I should have provided a link to the passage in the first place, as I often do.  I have not done it in the note under the copyright line, in blue, for your reference.  Sorry about that!

Thank you for your thoughtful visit, N

deLighting in the feedback, Daniel  8)
  
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Just_Daniel
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Don...
Reply #3 - Jan 1st, 1970 at 12:00am
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Don wrote on Jan 1st, 1970 at 12:00am:
I find your monologue circular and confusing.

I'm afraid that this presentation of my reflection in the passage is not at its best.  However, it does encompass a passage of Scripture that some find difficult to swallow.  It calls to question the 'faith' of some of the readers of James' general epistle.  I'm sure that you would not at all find it troublesome to took out at the vast array of folks calling themselves 'believers' (therefore having 'faith') and have serious doubt at the allegation.  Is that not correct.  James is doing that in the passage as well.  And then going on to challenge to a true 'faith'.

To me faith does not require action, and why we are told that to believe is not enough without deeds.

That is not an uncommon belief, at least on the surface.  However, I should think that you'd call into question the faith that someone alleges that they have in a particular politician whom they then go out and vote against?  Faith that doesn't act is not faith; that is James' point.  It's not mere theory or affirmation of a crede; it's 'trust'.

Good deeds do not neccessarily reap warmth and inner satisfaction. 

You're quite correct in that.  And 'good deeds' is not what's in view here either.  Note that I did not use the term 'good deeds'... but simply 'deeds,' 'action' .  'Good deeds' connotes doing something to earn favor, to show onesself to be good, to be worthy, or the like.  In this context, simply demonstrating the reality of the faith is all that is in mind... not doing something to make onesself worthy.

Is your first sentence truly a sentence?

I believe it is, yes ?

Don

Thank you so much for your very good questions and observations, Don.

I'll look forward to your return.

deLighting in the feedback, Daniel  8)
  
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nas
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Re: Is it Still Birth?
Reply #2 - Jan 1st, 1970 at 12:00am
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Hi Daniel

I must admit I'm struggling to get past the image of a dead baby that your title gives.

And I don't know James 2 so can't really comment on the rest until I've looked at it.
  
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Don
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Re: Is it Still Birth?
Reply #1 - Jan 1st, 1970 at 12:00am
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I find your monologue circular and confusing.

To me faith does not require action, and why we are told that to believe is not enough without deeds.

Good deeds do not neccessarily reap warmth and inner satisfaction. 

Is your first sentence truly a sentence?

Don
  
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Just_Daniel
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Slow down; things will
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Is it Still Birth?  [ Revised 2/19 ]
Jan 1st, 1970 at 12:00am
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Minor Revision 2/19:


Is it Still Birth?

How is it faith
to greet a cold, foodless friend
Be warmed; be filled ?
Is faith detached from action
or does it demand Show me ?

Is faith a solo
or is it relational?
Abraham believed
and it changed him forever;
he was called the friend of God.

Is faith a concept
or does it conceive... action...
its deeds given birth?
As acts that trust themselves
so is do-nothing ‘faith’... dead.

© MLee Dickens'son 18 Feb 2008
reflection on James 2:14-26 

Original:
S3L3 ~ its deeds giving birth?
« Last Edit: Jan 1st, 1970 at 12:00am by »  
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