 The answer is... well, I'll reveal that in a minute.. ..by way of two scriptures on the Top Ten Most Misunderstood Texts lists (BTW, ask Keltic Ken about his Top ten Misheard lyrics list). 1)The debate over what Paul's "thorn in the flesh" was is easily solved. The candidates you usually hear are: But if we get over our verse-itis, and simply read the 2 Corinthians 12 text in context and contexture, it's pretty obvious. Actually, this hilarious SpongeBob cartoon comes close:  If you read any standard academic commentary, you'll find it. What can be worse that an illness? a religious person. A false believer/teacher, a persecutor, a heretic, an infiltrator of the Body. Follow the word "thorn" ....or phrase "thorn in the side/flesh," which is used in scripture exclusively of people (Kind of like how today we call someone a "pain in the neck," no one thinks we're talking about a literal neck pain):
"Messenger of Satan"? "Messenger" is a person, when not translated "angel." |
And Paul' s context is obviously satanically-inspired "deceitful religious workers":
12 And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about. 13 For such persons are false apostles, deceitful religious workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel/messenger of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. -ch 10
And don't get me started on this next one.
2)How many times have you heard that John 10:10 teaches that"the devil comes to steal, kill and destroy"??
True as the statement is that devil does these three things..
The devil is nowhere mentioned in that chapter's content and context.
Could it be that there is something more evil (in a sense) than the devil?
A religious person.
Just a basic look at the context of John 10 will reveal clearly who the thief is:
Those of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these things and said to Him, “ We are not blind too, are we?” 41 Jesus said to them, “ If you were blind, you would have no sin; but [f]since you say, ‘ We see,’ your sin remains.
Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.
7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.[a] They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.---
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
More "misundertaken" texts from The Top Ten list?
Which commandments are listed the only time the scripture says "These are the Ten Commandment"? In Matthew, it's the believers who will be left behind Don't "avoid the appearance of evil" Romans 7, "I do what I don't want to do" is not descriptive the Christian life
- Fill in the blank: "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of ___"
- (9 out of 10 evangelicals will give the wrong answer)
- Christians are sinners...myth
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Hey, thanks for engaging the conversation!