Can we pick and choose?

This bloom can burn your skin and blind you if handled improperly, as can some verses of scripture.

We were discussing Pauls views of women in ministry and most thought we had grown beyond or misinterpreted his zeal to get women to shut up in church.

Makes me wonder in light of the wonderful positive influence of Pauls writing in my life as he got a special revelation from God whether we can question some of his odder statements?

Does 'come out from among them and be ye seperate' really a teaching of withdrawal from non believers and a segragated life among the faithful? I think not.

Part of the dynamics behind our current reformation has to the do how we interpret our translations. Is every word and phrase easily understood with basic literal reading?

I understand how difficult it can be to question a reading of scripture looking for a more nuanced understanding, but in so many passages of our continuing revelation we do it all the time.

So, lets let go of some cherished conclusions that have always produced strange fruit and take another look with the help of theology, history, and tradition, and the new voices of truth around us who have had the courage to step outside the box.