Originally posted by DeepThought
Zombies have always been a problem and they're difficult to bury if you don't want to be bitten. I think that's the true meaning.

Yes spiritual zombies, I agree.

Originally posted by robbie carrobie
But Jesus told him, "Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead! Your duty is to go and preach about the Kingdom of God."

Do you think it means that Jehovah's Witnesses (who go and preach about the Kingdom of God), when their relatives pass away, should hand over the task of burying them to non-Jehovah's Witnesses (the spiritually dead)?

Originally posted by FMF
Do you think it means that Jehovah's Witnesses (who go and preach about the Kingdom of God), when their relatives pass away, should hand over the task of burying them to non-Jehovah's Witnesses (the spiritually dead)?

I think this verse is applicable to most of your content,

Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments - 2 Tim 2:33

Originally posted by robbie carrobie
I think this verse is applicable to most of your content,

Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments - 2 Tim 2:33

The previous verse says: "He said to another man, "Follow me." But he replied, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." Then Jesus replied: "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God." So did the man with the dead father go and bury him or did he leave it to "spiritually dead" people to bury him?

Originally posted by FMF
The previous verse says: [b]"He said to another man, "Follow me." But he replied, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." Then Jesus replied: "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God." So did the man with the dead father go and bury him or did he leave it to "spiritually dead" people to bury him?[/b]

yawn

Originally posted by robbie carrobie
yawn

If the man chose to follow Jesus after hearing His exhortation, who buried his father?

Originally posted by robbie carrobie
what I have actually said and its worth noting here this attempt of yours to portray elements that have not been explicitly expressed by me is that if you are not proclaiming the Kingdom of God you are spiritually dead. If what you have stated is what 'proclaiming the Kingdom of God', means to you then so be it, but I have not said it and I resent your attempt to misconstrue what I actually have stated.

OK let's see how this thread pans out then. If during it you fully concede that the Jehovah's Witnesses are not the only religious group proclaiming the Kingdom of God and that there are other Christian Churches or individuals who you have observed doing so with equally efficacy, then I shall write you a public apology.

Originally posted by robbie carrobie
what I have actually said and its worth noting here this attempt of yours to portray elements that have not been explicitly expressed by me is that if you are not proclaiming the Kingdom of God you are spiritually dead. If what you have stated is what 'proclaiming the Kingdom of God', means to you then so be it, but I have not said it and I resent your attempt to misconstrue what I actually have stated.

When you say: "Proclaiming the Kingdom of God." what exactly do you mean? What actions, and in 21st Century language please, does one have to carry out in order to proclaim the Kingdom of God. The reason I ask is that the dictionary definition of proclaim means officially announce. And frankly that seems like an odd thing to do unless it's part of a plan to try to obtain converts. But suppose you actually managed to convert everyone in the world to your version of Christianity, would there be any point in proclaiming God's Kingdom if everyone had already signed up to it? Your line that anyone not proclaiming the Kingdom of God is spiritually dead seems problematic if it makes total religious success into a failure.

Originally posted by robbie carrobie
I don't see how it can be read any other way.

Then you just arn't trying. I think it means whatever a read wants it to mean.

Originally posted by DeepThought
When you say: "Proclaiming the Kingdom of God." what exactly do you mean? What actions, and in 21st Century language please, does one have to carry out in order to proclaim the Kingdom of God. The reason I ask is that the dictionary definition of proclaim means officially announce. And frankly that seems like an odd thing to do unless it's part of a ...[text shortened]... of God is spiritually dead seems problematic if it makes total religious success into a failure.

I suspect that proclaiming the kingdom of God means to evangelize. It seems fairly clear from the scriptures that have been cited that it was an admonishment to go to towns and villages and preach and teach about Gods Kingdom. I don't see how it can be interpreted in any other way. Also there is no possibility that the entire world will be as you put it, 'converted', infact the Bible itself makes it clear that those who respond to the proclamation of Gods Kingdom would be relatively few.

New International Version
But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. - Matt 7:14

Originally posted by robbie carrobie
New International Version
But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. - Matt 7:14

What is the gate, in this scriptural metaphor?

Originally posted by divegeester
What is the gate, it this scriptural metaphor?

Surely you're not actually asking him what a portion of the Sermon on the Mount means?

Don't you know?

Originally posted by Suzianne
Surely you're not actually asking him what a portion of the Sermon on the Mount means?

Don't you know?

Of course I know!

Originally posted by divegeester
What is the gate, in this scriptural metaphor?

The gate? I have never really thought about it. Surely it portends a way in to something?

Originally posted by robbie carrobie
The gate? I have never really thought about it. Surely it portends a way in to something?

Interesting; you've ver really thought about it and yet you still thought it relevant to use to support your argument here?