From morgan@csc32.dec.com Fri Dec 15 17:52:27 1989 From: morgan@csc32.dec.com (From: Mike Morgan DTN 592-5565) Subject: MORE TESTS FOR BIBLIOLATORS... Ammond sent this to me... Mikie? For the folks who have requested more... What I wrote up came from Delos Mckown in a speech he gave in Atlanta, Georgia, October 7, 1989 "Positive good can come from making Christians suffer 'cognitive dissonance', for it is out of intolerable intellectual and emotional conflict within oneself that deliverance often comes." Professor Delos McKown. Prof. Mckown is a former clergyperson and present Head of philosophy at Auburn University since 1979. Here are more tests for our Bibliolators... Stronger test... Luke 10:19: Jesus says that his disciples can walk on scorpions and snakes. Not everyone has a roomful of snakes. However you can get a large, covered jar with a "little" something in it. Make sure the testee can't see inside the jar. Ask your testee to put his hand in the jar and wiggle it around. Any reluctance shows weak faith, not someone you'd want to listen too. Weaker test: 1 Cor. 7:29: St. Paul says to cut out sex. If they are married are they still making love to their spouse? Stronger test: Matt. 10:18: Jesus sends out his disciples to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, etc. Again be skeptical and ask the testee if they are really from Jesus? They could be from a false teacher or worse yet, the devil. If they assure you they are from Jesus test them. Ask for a demonstration of healing the sick, raising the dead and cleansing lepers. Since lepers aren't around AIDS patients can be substituted. Weaker test: When the Bibliolator shows up at your door express concern. You don't want to be duped by a fraud. Ask them if the description in Luke 14:26 fits them. "If any man comes to me and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethern, and sistern, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple." How does that fit in with loving others? If the evangelist really hates their spouses and family why all the concern about living forever in heaven with these people? Stronger test: Matt 10:17-18: As the conversation goes on be sure you have the genuine article. Ask if this person has ever been flogged in a synagogue or dragged before governors and kings for Jesus's sake. The answer is almost certainly no. But continue with Matt 10:21-22. "And brother shall deliver brother up to death, and the father the child; and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death, and ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake..." Ask "Have you had family problems like these?" Then "Does everyone hate you because of Jesus?" The answer to both questions is almost certainly no. Say sadly and gravely that you are afraid this person is not the real article. Send them away into darkness. You want to learn about Jesus from the right kind of person as described in Matthew. Weaker test: After the testee has made their opening spiel just ask "Are you morally perfect?" Christians make a big deal of saying they are not perfect, just forgiven. Read Matthew 5:48 wherein Jesus says in the red letter edition, "Be ye perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." The answer is almost surely no. Solemnly note this is an imperative, not a maybe. Bibliolators should thank you for pointing out their flaw. Tell the testee to come back when they are morally perfect. Stronger test: If the Bibliolator is a woman ask her if women are allowed to speak aloud in the congregation. If the answer is yes, cite Paul's first letter to Timothy 2:11-12 "Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection, but I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to ursup authority over man, but to be in silence." If she still answers yes ask why that is ignored. What other commands are ignored? Why? Stronger test: Bibliolators seldom play fair. If the Bibliolator pleads with you to read the Bible or pray everyday, or attend church, or say a little prayer, present your own proposal. Say "Sure I will, if you'll do something for me. Go out into the woods alone where you won't be seen or embarrassed. Call upon the wood spirits and water nympths to give you good luck. And say this prayer... Lord Cernunnos, I have been so confused lately that I have forgotten you. Please forgive me my sins. If you exist please manifest your being in my life. Thank you." Since this looks like idolatry in the Bibliolators eyes they will not agree and you won't have to keep your bargain either. They will leave. Enough for now. Have a good time with this... B*B Ammond Shadowcraft