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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]

Thanks for the thoughtful post.

The argument that Paul was “straightforward” and that his letters were included in the Bible by the early church aren’t enough reason for many Christians to take him literally in addition to seriously. Plenty of writers are straightforward, starting with our current and past presidents, but that doesn’t mean we agree with everthing a straightforward writer says. This throws us back on your argument that his writings were included in the New Testament by the early church and therefore should be accorded special status, but many disagree with this argument, too. As PP says, many argue that Paul was speaking specifically to the first century developing church.

The gospels—witness writings of Jesus’ sayings—have a much higher status to many Christians.

Regarding shellfish, the original question posed to you concerned other parts of Leviticus, for example, not mixing different types of cloth in your outfit, or trimming your beard. You can google “lists of Leviticus rules.” The passages about “it’s not what goes in your mouth but what comes out of your mouth” are indeed beautiful and revolutionary, and I presume most Christians here are already familiar with them. The problem for a literalist Christian, however, is that Jesus’ abolition of dietary rules didn’t address these other rules.

You accuse other Christians of “picking and choosing,” but if you condemn sodomy based on the OT, yet your DH trims his beard or you wear polyester with cotton on the same day, then you’re doing the same “picking and choosing.”[/quote]
That's just the thing... sodomy is condemned in the New Testament. It's just that you see that, don't like it, and then claim that the books written by Paul aren't binding Christian doctrine. No better example of picking and choosing could be had.[/quote]

It looks like you don’t plan to answer the question about beards and mixing fabrics? At least the people who take Paul “seriously but not literally” have mustered various arguments about why (Paul is talking in a specific historical context; his letters are pastoral; he’s not divine). Your picking and choosing among Old Testament rules (no sodomy but groom yourself as you like) seems like more brazen picking and choosing.[/quote]

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