TLTR,,,,,,,,

ous all maybe be the ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,debl?"

Catholic Church leadership has recently gone bat guano crazy! Even Catholics can't wrap their minds around what is going on in the Vatican; at least the ones around here anyway.

I'm a protestant. Most of the very good and honorable men I knew growing up were Masons or Woodsmen of the World. Salt of the earth type folk that I 100% respect. Very good moral people.

So good, I thought I wanted to be a Mason at one time, but never went through with it. Something just did not feel right in my faith to Jesus. I especially did not like being required to take an oath. I know there are good people in the Masons. The high ups in that organization, I am not so sure about though.

You speak gibberish so it might be likely.

Looks like someone has been in the sauce, lol.

Jim

Now where did Warrior run off to? He kept saying I was wrong about this and wrong about that, and he never did say what was right.

Then he avoids my questions about Romans 13:1-2 and takes off.

I guess I'm not inclined to give credence to his claims.

Jim

James,

You write as though you yourself have an understanding of Romans 13:1-2. I personally do not. Let’s hear your interpretation.

But redeemed Not by practicing....any Religion of man; but by the blood of a risen Savior. Not by works- but by faith...

I’m bracing myself for your dissertation that gets this axed.

BvrRetriever:

Romans 13:1-2 seem pretty clear to me. Don't require any complex interpretation.

1. Submit yourself to the governing authorities.

2. There is no authority except that which God has established.

3. The authorities that exist have been established by God.

4. He who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted.

5. Those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

In other words, if you don't respect and obey the authorities, you will face God's judgment.

So submit yourselves to Biden, people!

Jim

BvrRetriever:

Charge a few bucks apiece, and you could make a living as a fortune teller.

But I haven't made any axable posts.

Jim

Not so fast there counselor.

Point out the word obey, please.

The operative word is rebel.

And you forget the cross reference, Give unto Ceasar that which is Ceasar's, Give unto God that which is God's.

And if the two are in conflict then God takes precedence.

So let me put it another way, should legislation be passed requiring all citizens to report their gun owning neighbor's what would you do?

Refusal or rebellion?

That’s all I’m looking for is a living…but you sir, need gone. Have you ever trapped in your life? Or are you here to cause a stir?

I don't need a pope to inform me that a particular belief system is wrong. But any religion like Free Masonry or that big one in Salt Lake, who keep secrets about what they believe, and won't reveal their beliefs until you are deep into it, are obviously antithetical to truth and light.

Apparently the RC Church gave the Free Masons the thumbs down way back in the 1700's. So nothing new in that regard.
Some might find this interesting.
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/the-faqs-is-freemasonry-compatible-with-christianity/

Seems to me folks pull a verse or two as stand alone to support whatever they may.

We forget,

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego
Daniel
Esther
Jochebed and the Hebrew midwives (hint, they lied)

And the ultimate example of the Son of God Himself.

And ten of the twelve would follow Him to their own martyrdom.

Seems the Bible is full of heroes who refused to obey.

Truth Warrior

^^^^^
However, there's a huge difference between refusing to obey God, and refusing to obey man,

True

Doesn't "submit yourself" encompass "obey"? If not, how are the words different?

I concur that if the authority of a human leader is contrary to God's, God shall prevail. I don't have the Gospel verse at hand, but Jesus said the most important commandment is to love God.

I can't see any relevance of the "give unto Caesar" verses or guns to this discussion. You're trying to change the subject because you're afraid you've painted yourself into a corner.

Jim

That's a mighty unfriendly attitude to someone who answered your question and applied a little humor. What did I say to offend you so deeply?

You might try giving Paul an ultimatum, as someone else did a while back. Tell him you'll leave unless he boots me. Go ahead. Make a fool of yourself.

I didn't say that because I'm sure of my position here, but because I know how much Paul likes ultimatums.

Jim

Incidentally, I did trap from my freshman year of high school to my start in law school, 1970-78. Helped pay undergraduate tuition by trapping. In law school I worked part-time to help pay tuition, and had no time for a trapline. In law practice, I also didn't have time. As you know, trapping requires a lot more commitment than a hunting or fishing trip.

After I became the boss of my own schedule, I trapped in Alaska from 2000-2013, when health issues put an end to my trapping days. I came to this forum in January 2001 to learn more about trapping. And I have.

I hope my trapping credentials are acceptable to you.

Jim