While researching the much-vaunted concept of compatibility in relationships, I came across the following article in oprah.com and wanted to share with all of us:
Which component in a romantic relationship is more important: attraction or compatibility? While many would argue in favor of compatibility, Rabbi Shmuley says it is attraction that is the lifeblood of a healthy, long-lasting and loving relationship. He talks about the true meaning of attraction and why it is at the heart of every great romantic partnership.
In today's society, Rabbi Shmuley says attraction is misunderstood and has been reduced to mean physical attraction, which is ultimately a fleeting force based on novelty. But real attraction, he argues, is much more. "Attraction is the inexplicable, mysterious, magnetic pull of polar opposites�of the feminine to the masculine, the masculine to the feminine," he says.
When a man is attracted to a woman, Rabbi Shmuley says there are five things that should constitute his attraction: Her scent, sound, mind, heart and, finally, her body. Compatibility takes precedence over attraction when these five senses are not fully explored and engaged, he says. "We've so reduced attraction to something so monolithic that it's lost its power, so we've had to fall back on compatibility," he says.
Attraction may create or lead to compatibility, but compatibility alone is not enough to keep a man and woman together for the long haul, Rabbi Shmuley says. Compatibility means having things in common�it means friendship, he says, and couples who embark on a lifelong commitment to one another based solely on the merits of friendship are bound to fail. "The insistence on compatibility as opposed to attraction is what's making relationships so weak these days," Rabbi Shmuley says. "They are so easily torn asunder because the force that binds them is actually a weak one."
Today's Shmuleyism
"In a relationship, common goals are much more important than a common origin. Where you are going to is much more important than where you are coming from."
The heart of the matter is that this is a Christian site that does not belong to you. It is not some parochial church/denomination requiring uneducated theology to protect its interests.
As such, you have no right to castigate someone else for posting something that contradicts the way you see things. I will continue to post ideas, thoughts and views as necessary here.
If you have the temerity to use degrading words on dignitaries and people who have impacted (and keep impacting) humanity more than you have, then you should at least be able to put on a tough skin to back up your tough stance.
On this site, all subscribers must have their say without some self-appointed "christian warrior" waving a stop sign disrespectfully on everyone else's post.
Oprah and the Rabbi you loathe do not rank low in God's eyes - even if they do in yours.
How many poor people have you made rich? How many broken hearts have you healed? How many raped and abused girls have found succour at your expense?
The Rabbi ranks high among his Jewish audience and to some Christians like me.
I don't know why anyone in this modern generation will think that biblical Christianity is still shrouded in the myopic hatefulness of the past.
As Christians, we must be tolerant of the views of others and respect other people's journey with God - even when it makes no sense to us.
In all my responses to you, I have endeavored to address your express and implied meanings.
I can see you are a strong woman who goes for the jugular when you discuss matters which personally concern you. Therefore, playing the victim here is of no consequence because you chose to discuss these issues - and discuss them we must as long as you keep expressing your opinions here. I am not abashed to answer you or any other who believe they have a point to make.
My post has gone without being refuted. You want me to give a scripture that says Jesus did not die to save everyone. I want you to give me one that says Jesus died with the intent to save everyone. Then I want you to answer why Jesus is a failure. My God doesn't fail.
"I don't know why anyone in this modern generation will think that biblical Christianity is still shrouded in the myopic hatefulness of the past."
Nah just faithfulness to the word. That after all, how God speaks to us. You seriously using the "how many poor people have you made rich" in defense of Oprah? Is she really some model citizen? God says all our righteousness is filthy rags(not a good thing). You have Christ or you have nothing. All the supposed good that Oprah does if not done in faith to Christ, is evil.
I have to comment, yes, Jesus dined with sinners, but He did not take counsel from them He took counsel from the Father and from the Scriptures which we are to do too.
I don't think anyone is attacking a person, from what I can see the objections are because the counsel given is not biblically sound and is from a worldly and ungodly source.
Psalm 1: 1-6 "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish."
Let's clear up some matters here using the actual facts, shall we?
The only name that was called here was used in reference to Rabbi Shmuley. He was referred to as a "terrible man". Now, if I am not mistaken, according to his title, he is a Rabbi - a religious leader. True or not true? Therefore, to refer to him as a hypocrite, viper, false teacher or any other related name is well within Biblical guidelines. So, you have been dishonest in your representation of other members comments. Have you not?
Now, let's examine your statement. You said, "However, name calling and spiteful vitriol against others whose views we disagree with are not distinguishing characteristics of Bible-believing people."
Yet, you are the only one in this thread who has consistently done the very thing that you condemn. Here is a sampling of your spiteful vitriolic statements:
"Therefore, why should I accept your cheap attack on people who have done more for humanity than you have ever done? "
"Your kind of christian is disrespectful to other people's personality and spirituality. That is not biblical christianity."
"You speak neither with grace nor with love! And of course, the only one that merits respect is just your self and your egocentric views."
"But self-righteous you will sit behind the comfort of your computer to spew out hateful and despicable things about other humans for whom Jesus Christ died."
"Apparently love is lacking in you, that's why you pour dry, bitter angst on whoever crosses your little spiritual worldview. What you have is exactly what you give."
"Please read your Bible again to help you adjust your theology!! "
and so on.........
So, I ask you, who is the one who is attacking others here? Who is the judgmental one, who is the one lacking in love?
For the record, your OP is not inline with Biblical teaching. It's a pile of humanist garbage as everyone who has commented has pointed out to you. On top of which, it is being exalted and promoted by two false religious leaders: Shmuley and Oprah.. and yes Oprah is a religious leader.. a FALSE one. This has now been highlighted for you as well. If you continue to promote and exalt the two of them, you are partaker in their sins. Plain and simple.
Now, you commit a number of other serious blunders in your posts. These show that you are not fit to teach the Word of God. For example, you have proffered the erroneous notion that God loves everyone, Jesus died for all, Christians must respect ALL opinions whether or not they are contrary to the Word of God, we should esteem others for their good works, ranking highly in the eyes of men is important, and so on. None of these things are supported by the Bible itself.
In conclusion, you also stated that "The heart of the matter is that this is a Christian site that does not belong to you"
Nor does it belong to you. And as a matter of principle, the Christians here are not going to sit back and allow you to post trash without stating that it is trash. So, if you intend to continue in your unrighteous endeavors, then you should expect some push back. Be prepared to give a defense for your beliefs and to do so without all the insults and rude comments.
Him4Her said: "GraceUndeserved, you have made one of the most heretic statements ever!! Can you show me a Bible verse that says that Jesus Christ did not die for everyone?"
John 10
11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the SHEEP.
12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the SHEEP.
Matt. 25:
31.When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his SHEEP FROM THE GOATS:
33 And he shall set the SHEEP on his right hand, but the GOATS on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.
and.......
John 17
2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, THAT HE SHOULD GIVE ETERNAL LIFE TO AS MANY AS THOU HAST GIVEN HIM.
3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.
7 Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.
8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.
9 I PRAY FOR THEM, I PRAY NOT FOR THE WORLD, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.
11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
19 AND FOR THEIR SAKES I SANCTIFY MYSELF, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
and again...
Eph 5
25 Husbands, love your wives, EVEN AS CHRIST ALSO LOVED THE CHURCH AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR IT.
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Let's say Christianity and biblical views are as varied as the myriads of denominations, theologies and dining-room bred "Bible experts" evident everywhere.
I have no issues with being called names because I can take it as well as give back if necessary.
However, I stand by my proposition that Oprah, the Rabbi and others who do not parade themselves as sanctimonious Christians have their place in God. You will be here arguing and thinking that God's kingdom is your private real estate - while gentiles and so-called unbelievers will enter ahead of you.
We can debate all we want, but none of my co-debators here really understand the mystery of divine grace as much as God himself does. Everyone can share a bit of their highly cherished fanatical & fundamental notions.
We know in part and see in part, so every view expressed here is limited by our individual religious, biblical and church affiliations (including mine of course).
I do not apologize for my liberal, post-modern Christian stance. Hate me or love me, upon this Rock I stand!!! My God is a liberal God.
Now, let me try and respond to each person's reasoning...
However, I am surprised that you couldn't find one scriptural evidence to validate your notion that Christ died "for some"instead of FOR ALL.
Giving an unpersuasive opinion which analogized the death of Christ to sacrificial death of a husband for his beloved does not answer the question.
Context matters a lot in biblical interpretation, therefore it is unfair to excise scripture from its contextual meaning just to score an unrelated point. That scripture is not there as a rebutal to the idea that Christ died for all. So the debate still rages. Show me the scripture.
Further, for every one youtube video you can post against Oprah, I can post ten that are for her. So, whose report will I believe?
