tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287736566569833126.post6206175964416826917..comments2023-06-06T05:43:42.292-05:00Comments on Robert Pelfrey: The Temptation of Christ...and Usrobertcpelfreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09215300448575481477noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287736566569833126.post-13698590663914761772009-03-12T21:36:00.000-05:002009-03-12T21:36:00.000-05:00Judd--I would hope we might see progress in our ab...Judd--I would hope we might see progress in our ability to fight temptation, in the sense of our weakness in the face of temptation. However, the "amount" of temptation may not change or may even increase. So I agree whole-heartedly that we must "read it carefully to fully understand it" and, I would add, overcome it.<BR/><BR/>Diana--I agree with your every point. The spiritual journey is personal, and blind/rote adherence to said dictates does not equal growth or deliverance. I do, however, believe that carefully considered, measured, and passionate adherence to some doctrines can aid in(not "equal") personal growth and deliverance. That is to say, I agree that we must grow from personal experiences, and I also believe we can grow from the collective and individual personal experiences of others throughout history and around the world. This is another subject about which Jung had much to say.<BR/><BR/>Tom--I think you're dead on, buddy. My dad likes to say evil is "live" backwards--literally and figuratively. When we live in the opposite manner from what our Creator and Lover God intends, that is evil. This is simplistic and incomplete, but a helpful starting point. I think what you say here is very important. Selfishness, destruction, idolatry as opposed to sacrificial love, creativity and beauty, faithfulness and humility...are really getting at the heart of Jesus' summation of things: To love God completely and others as self sums up the Law and the Prophets. And these are things against which we are so often tempted.<BR/><BR/>You guys are awesome! More?robert c. pelfreyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16188909995562407366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287736566569833126.post-51503487554095488792009-03-12T21:33:00.000-05:002009-03-12T21:33:00.000-05:00My view on temptation has changed dramatically ove...My view on temptation has changed dramatically over the years. I think that our mandate is to do good for other people--to show love and compassion and make a difference. I think temptation exists in those things that take us away from that--the pursuit of more and more whatever. The temptation to live our lives at the expense/detriment of others. The temptation to turn our backs on those in need, whatever we turn to--religion, money, sex. Temptation is not, to me, someone's definition (doctrine/dogma) of right and wrong, good or bad, sin or not, but rather, choosing to live your life with disregard for the lives and cares of others.<BR/><BR/>*Tom PattersonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287736566569833126.post-78163343425033094442009-03-12T21:32:00.000-05:002009-03-12T21:32:00.000-05:00Diana Garcia writes...I completely agree with Judd...Diana Garcia writes...<BR/>I completely agree with Judd here. The spiritual journey is a personal one, not one that can be dictated by doctrine or dogma (i.e. what is external to us). Blind/rote adherence to external social/religious dictates does not equal personal growth or ‘deliverance’.<BR/>We have to look inside, recognize and admit to our own conscious *and* unconscious capacity for both good and evil (the German term Auseinandersetzung comes to mind) and be willing to grow from personal experience. Jung wrote volumes about it!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287736566569833126.post-46379947753398025752009-03-12T21:30:00.000-05:002009-03-12T21:30:00.000-05:00I can't remember my login but I believe that tempt...I can't remember my login but I believe that temptation is all about growth. We will no doubt be tempted till the day we die. We may not see progress in our ability to fight temptation, but if we survive it and have faith in God, we still grow stronger. We become experienced and more knowledgable. Temptation is just like reading a book. Read it carefully to fully understand it.<BR/><BR/>--Judd SmithAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287736566569833126.post-73918178041306073882009-03-11T23:37:00.000-05:002009-03-11T23:37:00.000-05:00I remember it well, and could name names (though I...I remember it well, and could name names (though I won't...for now!) We've crossed many (literal and figurative) picket lines together, my brother. When I told this story in the "temptation" sermon recently, I named you specifically and talked about how you got all up in the grill of the chief bullhorn guy. I believe you ended with a hearty "Thank You!" and did an about-face and we marched into the theater. It could've only been sweeter if you'd said, "I'm not locked in here with you...you're all locked in here with me!"robert c. pelfreyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16188909995562407366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287736566569833126.post-43442120585316064422009-03-11T21:25:00.000-05:002009-03-11T21:25:00.000-05:00I was with Robert when we crossed the Amarillo pic...I was with Robert when we crossed the Amarillo picket lines. I don't know if you remember, Robert, but we had some fellow CHS classmates in that line. Good times, good times.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08954413651635300181noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287736566569833126.post-24909516213006707082009-03-11T17:20:00.000-05:002009-03-11T17:20:00.000-05:00Good thoughts Paul. It can be a slippery slope bec...Good thoughts Paul. It can be a slippery slope because, as Jesus tells us, we have to keep those thoughts and our hearts in check because that's where sin starts. That said, we are too often tempted (if you will) to call temptation "sin," and we end up feeling guilty just for being tempted. Instead, I think we do better to follow Jesus' example of discipline and faithfulness in order to resist. Good rambling!robert c. pelfreyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16188909995562407366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1287736566569833126.post-20254535403293756642009-03-11T16:27:00.000-05:002009-03-11T16:27:00.000-05:00Oh man....interesting topic bro. Could Jesus have...Oh man....interesting topic bro. Could Jesus have sinned? What does it mean that Jesus was tempted? All sorts of very deep and terrifying questions errupt in my head as I read what you wrote. <BR/>Considering that Jesus was 100% man (and 100% God), I can only arrive at no answer to the first question (could Jesus have sinned) since it philosphically becomes a nonsensical question. But the other question, and many more like it, leaves me perplexed and doubting my conclusion on the first question. <BR/>I mean, why would God go through the trouble of telling us that Jesus was tempted? There was no distinction between his temptation and ours, in and of itself. That seems so crazy to me. But in the end, I have to admit that it makes me feel so vindicated. It means that my tempation is not a sin. Just because I see a beautful woman and think that she is beautiful and feel tempted to ....well...you get the point....that does not mean that I sinned, just because the temptation may be there. It is what is happening in my heart, I suppose. Which is rather freeing! Because so many times I let the tempation itself make me feel so guilty. I guess it is the pharasie (sp?) in me that does that.....ok.....rambling.....must stop....before.....rambling....takes....over....my soul....straying...off....topic....ahhhhhhPaulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11867372623722693214noreply@blogger.com