That is an wonderfully  insightful and as far as I can tell Scripturally correct assessment of the differences in the two faiths.

Christ said almost exactly the same thing in Matthew 5-7.

Of course, Christ didn't take such a casual attitude that the Jews of His day had pared down the Mosaic law to an attainable standard.

Christ held that while the standard IS unattainable in our own  power, the power of God is freely made available to MAKE us  pleasing to God, thru the righteousness of Jesus Christ.

Very interesting, Shamayim.

Interesting, I've always stated the Golden Rule as "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."  That's probably closer to the Jewish version.

Hey team:

I appreciate all the insightful posts on this topic.  It was I who used the words "Chosen People" in another thread and I am glad to hear the opinions expressed in this one.

I for one believe that the Church is intended to become the Bride of Christ (New Testament) but from my reading of the OT, the Jews have always been held in special favor to the Lord.

ELEFTERIA made the comment that the Jews who receive Christ "will receive the inheritance of "the first son", a double blessing, according to Jewish tradition and custom".  Now that is something that I had not thought of and to me anyways, seems to allow that the Jews have been held in special favor by the Lord, while also allowing that blessings bestowed on the Gentiles who also accept Christ.

Thanks!

HBAR16 -

You seem to have a good grasp of Christian doctrine.

I'd appreciate seeing your Scritural proof texts for your understanding of the notion of National Israel being God's chosen people.

Then I'd welcome your analysis and comment on the Scriptures I've presented in this thread.

I don't mean to denigrate anyone's religion. I was raised Christian myself.

However, the net result of several thousand years of this banter back and forth between cultures, faiths, sects, and doctrines is still the same today as it was the first time a believer's blood was spilled on the sand. Death, destruction, hate, war, and a host of other evils blasphemously committed in the name of each other's god.

To date, there's still no concrete evidence to support much of what gets kicked around other than some texts which have been through countless revisions. There's no FACT here. There never has been any. It's all rooted in tradition, ritual and emotion.

It's a sad state of affairs when such large segments of humanity still to this day cannot recognize a simple truth. When you keep doing things the same way, you will continue to net the same result.

Carry on with the killing in your God's name... all of you. I'll be hanging out on some mountain somewhere with the Taoists.

May the Goddess grant all of you peace and forgiveness from the intolerance of others.

I have to go hug an old pine and feed some spotted owls, but when I get back I pray you've all come to realize that I am the chosen one.

My spirit guide pig will also pray for you ignorant misguided children.

-Also in before the lock.

Hope some folks here like the smell of burnt toast. The Old Testament proves itself out in fulfilled prophecy. The New Testament is fulfilled prophecy, and an article of faith.
Shamayim, I take it from your posts, you are a reformed jew??

after reading alot of this crap i kind of like the Jewish philosophy of being a constructive person while ur on earth and not trying to be perfect so u can be accepted in some pure all Christian Country club called heaven when u die. i just want to enjoy my time hear with my family and friends.Make enough dinero to enjoy my hobbies(guns & boats)send my kids to college,
keep the wife happy and have something to leave them when im gone.I have nothing against u bible quoting types until u start preaching ur views on me, thats annoying. Most of the born - agains i know were the most womanizing , drunken, law breaking people i know, but miraculously they were saved by Jesus in a nick of time. So u guys keep fighting over whose the chosen people and who will be allowed in Heaven cause truth be told none of u really know cause ur neither dead nor perfect.Like when my dad died and people were telling me he is in a better place, or god has a plan for him and i just said how the fuck do u know.

They didn't know, they were just trying to make you feel better.

Born-agains aren't perfect, nobody is. Nobody ever will be until they get to wear a white robe stained with blood.

Jesus said I will go to heaven and not suffer a second death if I have Faith in a few beliefs. I believe I have that Faith and honestly believe I will get there even though I'm a huge-ass sinner.

heres another huge ass sinner right beside 'ya!

which is not to say RodgerDodger that God doesn't see my sin and treat me accodringly.  I know in my heart that many of the things I have done in my life have displeased Him and have caused many problems in my life, and [b]will[/b] cause me great grief and sorrow when i am called to stand before him in His judgement.  Any [b]true[/b] believer is pious and righteous: 1. because he wants to do what he has been commanded/ what is pleasing to the Lord and 2. because he knows that even his most minute of transgresstion will all be accounted for on the day of reckoning.

Shamayim, I would like to ask you a couple of questions. There were twelve tribes originally. Of these Twelve Tribes, are they all Jews? How did Ephraim and Manessah come about?

If you, as a Jew, think that all of the original twelve tribes were Jews. Oy Vey, do I have some land, in Florida, that I would like to sell you! Only under twelve feet of water. Work with me here, and see if you might agree with me. Logically, there are more chosen people than just the Jews.

When King Solomon died, his son Rhehoboam became King. A delegation of men from ten of the tribes went to him, with Jeroboam as their spokesman. Jeroboam asked Rhehoboam to, "please lift this heavy burden of tax your father has laid upon us." Rheoboam replied, "If you think my fathers yoke is heavy," "wait until you see mine."

A schism came about and the Ten Tribes went north to Bethel and set up the Kingdom of Israel, which became known as the Northern Kingdom. The Southern Kingdom, The Judeans, The Benjamites and a part of the tribe of Levi (Priests) stayed in Jerusalem and became
refered to as the Kingcom of Judea. From Judea, and Judeans is where the word Jew came from. A nickname.

Before the schism the twelve tribes, the Hebrews, were selected by God, to be Gods chosen people. That had to include all of the tribes, along with the tribe of Ephraim and Manessah.

Have you noticed on ancient maps of the Holy Land, that there is not a portion alloted to the Tribe of Joseph. His allotment was divided between Ephraim and Manessah, his two children.

If the Twelves Tribes were chosen to be Gods Chosen People, and if the Judeans are only a portion of Gods Chosen People. Who are the other tribes, "The Lost Tribes?" They are not Jews, and they are also Gods Chosen People. They are, like the Jews, Hebrews. Who are they?

What I have pictured, in words, is not Christian Identity, or British Israelitism.

How about the Celtic descent countries -- Could they be the Lost Tribes?

Israel, the Ten Tribes, was carried away, into Bondage, about 34 AD. They were taken, by the Sythians (sp?), into the Caucuses (sp?) Mountains in the area of the Black sea. From out of the Caucuses came the Celts. Originally called the Barbarians.

The Diaspora started with the Jews being carried into bondage in about 70 - 77 AD.

Any ideas about the origins of the Celts? Might they be a portion of the chosen?

Bill

Orangemen are Protestant. Catholics are Green.

Bill

PaoloAR15, aren't we lucky to have you to thank for raising the level of the language in the discussion.

Bill

[b]Originally quoted by Shamayim
Most Christians express the Golden Rule as; "Love thy neighbor as thyself"[/b]

No, no Shamayim, you have the quote wrong. The Golden rule is, "Do unto others," "as they would do unto you." "Only do it first."

Bill

Shamayim - I like your way with words. Your subtility with your sharp verbal rapier is terrific. I will highjack your quick witted verbiage many times. your riposte, "You're entitled to be the biggest anal pore around." Is cunning, savage, and beautiful.