RE: Biblical question to Biblical followers

I am sure that there are some people who do believe with what you call 'blind faith'.. However I would suggest that not all do. Just because christianity isn't 'your' choice - doesnt make the faith 'blind' and is no different than someone stating all of Gor as 'fake, online and non reality'... or BDSM as 'only full of abuse, abused and abusers'.

Different strokes for different folks and all that.

Blind faith denotes that nothing is tested.

As a christian, I test. It is in me to do that. Now, You may not see the result as 'scientific' but there are plenty of tests in everyday life that cannot be attributed to science. Doesn't make it 'blind science'.

Paul - ya love or loath Him.... either way there are certain struggles with His wording. However christianity isnt about Paul(yes, He was a writer of the words, but that is why blind faith doesnt come in, but faith and testing) Christianity is the teachings of Jesus. The old laws were completed through Him. Christians are specifically the diciples of christ - and followers of His teachings.

You are correct on the interpretation of malakos... however there are disagreements within the christian community and language scholars on what was specifically ment. As you have suggested, one malakos translated is 'soft' which indeed refered to the underage male. It is not clear whether this interprtation was in fact for the homosexual act... or the sexaul abuse of minors. So that said, as there is no agreement on the specific meaning it would be down to the teachings of Jesus himself and his behaviour towards homosexuals that would be the teaching and the example to follow. Words are not the be all and end all - actions speak louder than them.

Edit to add I left out arsenokoites - its origianl meaning evolved from meaning 9thC 'perversion' and only became 'liers with men'(ie homosexual - and more precisely still.... practising homosexuals) around the 12thC . This was due to the fact that there is little known on this specific word, other than its occasional link wth malakos and was originally interpreted as one of the 'sins' from the OT. It is also carried that the word was associated with economic exploitation by the means of sex, and isnt specific to homosexual sex. As it has often been stated that arsenkoites and malakos are sepcific to male homosexuality, there is technically no mention of female homosexuality biblically at all if you take these two words in the context of your interpretation. So if homosexually (broadly)... is a 'sin' and against the teachings... why is there nothing specific to lesbien sex?

(btw, my typing sux today so ignore my typos)

I know this was not to me, but I have the desire to respond.

Christianity does not exist because of the bible. If the bible did not exist, if the words were not written down, then the teachings would be passed on a differnet way. Christianity exists because of the existance of christ. It is a system of beliefs based on the teachings of Jesus. The bible, technically, has nothing to do with christianity.

Your question on what constitutes 'sexual immorality' in IMO and in the study I have done, purely subjective, even from a christian standpoint. As lame as it may sound - what is a immoral act? Morality is defined by society. And morality is the acceptance of ones own behaviour and conduct. Morality is relative to the situation one is involved in at that specific moment. Morality is subjective - one persons morals do not have to be in tune with anyone else, but it does have to sit with comfort on ones own personal feelings.

Therefore, a sexual perversion is subjective as well as subject to consensuality in all aspects. Having sex in the park with your husband isn't sexually immoral persay, but it could be if witness by someone who did not consent to see it occur. Is that act more or less 'immoral' than two women having sex in the privacy of their own home?

In Matthew 8... the centurion asked Jesus to cure 'servant' who lay paralyzed and in great agony. The centurion stated that all Jesus had to do was to say the right words to effect the cure. Jesus spoke of the centurions faith and told him to return, for he was healed.

From the greek the centurion refered to the boy as 'pais' which is a reference often used of a young male slave kept for sexual purposes by his owner. The word 'pais' was replaced by religious scholars to 'servant boy' to remove the sexual reference. (GofLuke interpretation is somewhat different as there is no specifics to the sick boys age or illness').

(btw, my typing sux today so ignore my typos)

arsenokoites is also linked in texts elsewhere that has no mention of sexual perversion, but rather greed, cheating and the usage of 'foul mouthing'(whether that is meant to be swearing or gossip is up to debate).

Whilst a common understanding that malakos is 'soft' it is also common to define it as 'weak' - and with the association of arsenokoites especially in the tales of Zeus, it was defined of an agressor taking advantage of the 'weaker person' and by force - not by consent.

In the majority of cases that both arsenokoites and malakos are used, the acts are non consent and slavery. There is no specific relation to homosexuality - but more to the economic abuse of minors or weaker individuals.

While that is how many define morality today, is that how the Apostles defined it when they were making this decision?

Maybe they didn't know? I believe they were well aware of the change of circumstances and that civilisations evolve and understood the concept of one on one relationship wth God more than the biblical 'scholars' have tried to interpret for everyone. And one should always remember that whilst the church exists and is a huge part of christianity - it isnt the be and end all.. Christianity is the teachings of Jesus - its a personal relationship with the living God. It is about being true to oneself and being responsible for ones actions...whilst fixed upon God... about being self aware... being environmentally conscious and aware of others - to be loving and to be loved. It isnt about what other people expect or want from you - its the truth of yourself for yourself with your God.

(OK...harking back to BDSM relationships again - kinda ring a bell?[:D])