Originally posted by Rank outsider
No need to apologise for length. Everything you posted (well, almost) was to the point and relevant.
Using my spider senses, I think you struggle with the idea of stoning someone to death for all the various offences that Mosaic Law provides. Indeed, galveston75 admitted feelings of this nature when discussing the stoning of someone for gathering genuous. It just seems a much more likely explanation to me. And definitely an improvement.
Actually its capable to rationalise almost anything, even extremes. The scenario
that you mentioned of gathering straw, set a precedent and broke the strict laws of
the Sabbath. Its rather interesting that they didn't quite know what to do and held
the man under restraint for some time.
Historically its rather interesting to see the attempts made to make God more
palatable, the idea of the mother of God was invented, a matriarchal figure able to
intercede on behalf of a God that was deemed judgemental.
As for the new covenant it was based not upon a rigid set of laws and regulations,
but the conscience, this in fact was a much more spiritual arrangement for the
adherent could get even closer to the loftiest ideals, not out of sense of duty or fear
of reprisal, but out of a sense of love. It was of course made only possible through
the propitiatory sacrifice of the Christ which fulfilled all things, the adherent now
being able to approach God on the value of its basis. It was able to cover
transgression, once for all time, cleanse the conscience, make a relationship with
God possible on a personal level, so many good and wonderful things. In fact its the
difference today between Islam, Judaism and Christianity, the latter providing
amble room for the exercise of the conscience the former providing no room at all.
Homosexuality is sinful, according to scripture, those who practice is cannot inherit
Gods Kingdom, they are in effect spiritually dead in their trespasses unless
they can demonstrate some act of repentance. There is no longer any covering
sacrifice left for them and Paul states that its as if they pierce the Christ again and
again and submit him to public shame. Thus being spiritually dead there is no need
for stoning. Of course ultimately it is true that all those who make a practice of
unrighteousness will be recipients of Gods wrath, including those who practice
homosexuality, but Gods is finished with no one yet and thus until he is, Christians
are under duress to extend love to all persons as people, we are under no duress to
love the things which they practice.