Head-dibs

Objection: The contradiction is plain: the Bible states there is no righteous person, yet many biblical figures are described as righteous (Job, Joseph, Noah, to name a few)--even Christians go around talking about being made righteous. I can't believe in a religious contradiction.  Answer: The apparent contradiction is very plain, but is anyone asking “what does ‘righteousness’ mean?” The central text from which we learn “there is none righteous” is found in Psalm 14 where we also find one definition. Other biblical uses quote this passage or point back to this place, so instead of addressing each one individually, we will consider the source. First, it helps to know who is writing and it takes no scholar to find the answer as the first line reads “Of David,” who incidentally is also one of the biblical figures whose righteousness is called into question. What is he writing about? Well, the first verse explains his topic as “the fool [who] says in his heart, ‘ther...

"Mythology exists to show the wickedness of men through the depravity of their gods, whose deeds are so repulsive that man abandon them.  The Bible records the depravity of men against a righteous God, who alone can save them." (Kenneth Prior, " The Gospel in a Pagan Society ")

Psalm 112 Have you ever wondered, “ What do I get by being a Christian ?” Short answer: God. Long answer: The Christian does not get a “what” but a “whom.” The person who puts God before his eyes, who reverences God in the highest way receives from God blessing and delight to do what pleases God. The righteous person makes a mark on those around him (this will be clear later) and those that follow this same uprightness receives blessing as well. The righteous accumulates about him things of eternal significance. Things that matter to God matter most. Also, he sees clearly in the light of fellowship by walking with God, being cleansed from sin and made righteous by God’s provision. Furthermore, there are is tangible evidence of that walk that is distinctly different and certainly noticed. The one who fears God gets to show grace and compassion by sharing what God provides. The one who fears God gets a solid foot-hold on an unmovable foundation. When he gets bad news, he gets to t...

Psalm 34 1. God is the focus of praise (1-3). I am firmly convinced that this very psalm was the content of David’s mutterings of madness. Remember the occasion when Br’er Rabbit (or Bro’ Rabbit) was once again in the clutches of Br’er Fox and Br’er Bear, who sought to pull out his ears and yank of his tail, to enjoy him for their dinner? One his Rabbit’s plans to escape including his convincing his captors to PLEASE eat him, and never to throw him into that most horrid and dreadful place, the briar patch. He begged and pleaded to be eaten—anything, just PLEASE don’t throw him into that briar patch. Fox and Bear thought the torture would be better if they did throw him into the briar patch instead of eating him and when Rabbit found out, he set to hollerin’ so. Finally, the Rabbit was launched through the air and plompt right smack into that ol’ briar patch, where instead of screaming and yelps of death, Bro’s Fox and Bear heard laughter. They quickly learnt that that ol’ briar patch w...