Did Jesus bow to the scholastic education of the Pharisees?
Jesus recognized the scholasticism of the Pharisees. He called them “religious authorities.” What he debated was their interpretations.
Why did he personally chose uneducated men to become the foundations of his kingdom?
He also chose people who were educated. Matthew, a publican, would have had an education. Simon was a politician, and Philip, James, and Judas were probably learned in the trades.
Nothing to do with the fact that the religious education offered by the Pharisees was useless to Jesus because they had completely lost the plot, was it?
Where in the Bible does it specifically say that? In fact, some of Jesus’ disciples were Pharisees. Nicodemus was a Pharisee. Jesus ate with Pharisees. Jesus and the Pharisees, therefore shared an affinity for one another.
NO images were to be used in worship
Where in the Bible does it specifically say that?
second commandment...and yet the Catholic church is full of them. Do you support this?
Yes I do. First, it’s not up to me to judge others. Second, the commandment against idolatry excludes “images.” It only applies to the worship of graven images that are believed to have divine power in and of themselves. None of the images the Catholics use is an idol. Interestingly, the oldest known work of Christian art is a bas-relief in stone from the first century, prior to the establishment of the Roman Church, depicting Jesus in a crowd scene. Obviously the first believers disagree with your take on the 2nd commandment.
Where does the Bible ever call Mary "the Mother of God"?
It doesn’t, but since we know that not all valid Christian experience is limited to the Bible, its exclusion does not negate its validity.
Where is she featured throughout Jesus ministry
As a disciple.
The truth is, she hardly rates a mention
I disagree. She was present at the crucifixion and resurrection. She was one of the first to proclaim the resurrection to the other disciples. That fact alone places her in a high position among the disciples.
In your inclusiveness, do you support the RC church's beliefs about Mary's adoration and her intercessory role?
Yes.
What do you think Jesus was teaching in the parable of the wheat and the weeds?
Below, you say it doesn’t matter what I think. You can’t have it both ways. What does Matthew say about the wheat and the weeds?
it was about the future of Christianity
That’s not what Matthew specifies. This is your opinion, and not strictly biblical.
What were the seeds sown by the devil and where did he plant them?
Again, what does Matthew say?
hat is the "harvest" that sees the devil's seed destroyed by the appointed reapers
What does Matthew say?
Bearded darnel" is a blight to farmers in the Middle East because they call it "wheat's evil twin".
That term is not specified in the Bible and so cannot be used in your argument. It constitutes your opinion.
What do the posted pictures show to those who are not Catholic? How can you not defend these things if they are inaccurate?
My opinion doesn’t matter. Remember? All answers must be biblical according to you. What does the Bible say the posted pictures say to those who are not Catholic? In fact, the Bible mentions these pictures not at all, so your question is moot. It is your opinion, therefore, that these things are “inaccurate.”
If the church says that it doesn't worship the sun, and yet we see plainly that the sun is displayed on their objects of worship (which, incidentally, they were told NOT to make) let's hear your defense
Where does the Bible specifically say, “Thou shalt not make pictures of the sun?”
Was moving the Sabbath to "Sun"day also just a co-incidence, since the pagans already observed it?
The first day of the week was observed before the Roman Church came into being.
What “brand” of the Jewish faith did Jesus practice?
The Bible doesn’t tell us.
Was he loving and inclusive of the Pharisees or the Sadducees?
Yes. See above.
Did he have a good thing to say about those who were supposed to be teachers of his own faith?
Yes. He respected Nicodemus.
On what basis was Jesus “inclusive” of those whom he accepted as his disciples? When he preached to those “lost sheep” to whom he was sent, on what basis did he welcome them? Wasn’t it on the basis of their repentance? Wasn’t it a requirement for Jews to first undergo John’s baptism in symbol of that repentance?
That they love him.
Jesus often used questions to get his audience to reason on their own beliefs.
But Jesus didn’t gaslight them.
These are the questions I have asked, and would like you to answer......take them one at a time if you prefer but please do not give your own opinion as it not worth anything in this sort of discussion. Provide sources that lead you to your conclusions if its not too much to ask.....
So, from this post, I gather that I may not state opinion, but you may (since you have stated it on several occasions therein). This represents an argument that automatically favors you.
In matters of the Bible, commentary is always allowed: interpretations, exegetical findings, etc. Yet it appears to me that you just want me to stick to what’s actually written. Therefore, I asked you to state where specifically the Bible says what you say it says.
Where do you get your opinions? Are they formed yourself? if so, they’re not admissible, because your scholasticism in deriving opinion is not recognized here, as mine is not recognized here. Did you get them from someone else — some other Bible scholar or religious authority? Why is their authority any greater than mine? It seems as though you’re saying, “the Bible says what I get to say it says, but not what you say it says.” That’s not debate. It’s entrapment.
I answered your questions and posed some of my own in return. I’d like answers to those questions, with you adhering to the same criteria that you hold me. No commentary, no opinion — just what the Bible actually says. Oh! And it has to be a universally-recognized authoritative translation of the Bible. I specify the NRSV.
How do you know what the Bible says? You imply more than is actually written, so your interpretations must be gleaned from something extra-biblical. From what outside authority do you glean interpretation? From yourself? Why are your interpretations seen as authoritative, but you say mine are not? What’s the criterion for your assessment? Do you get your interpretations from someone else? From whom? Why are their teachings authoritative but mine are not? What is the criterion for their authority? You see, the door swings both ways. Can you clarify these things?
