The Skeptics' Overrated Bible on Ephesians and Philippians
as analyzed by
Sheila Rangslinger
Ephesians
- 1:4-5, 11 We are predestined by God to go to either heaven or hell. None of our thoughts, words, or actions can affect the final outcome. Very primitive understanding of election. See here.
- 1:7 God had his son murdered to keep himself from hurting others for things they didn't do. And the problem is? Noble sacrifice was admired in the ancient world, and the death was voluntary. See here.
- 2:3 We are by nature "the children of wrath." Yes, and the problem with this is?
- 2:8-9 Paul here insists that people are saved by faith alone, contradicting other verses that say people are judged by their works. The idea that our beliefs determine whether we are saved or damned is absurd and unjust. Why? Because SAB doesn't like it? No personal responsibility for that boy. For how faith and works interact see here plus see here for more on this passage.
- 2:15 Jesus abolished the law that he said would last forever. (Mt.5:17, Lk.16:17) See here.
- 4:14 Paul says, contrary to Jesus (Mt.18:3, Mk.10:15, Lk.18:17), that we shouldn't act like children and believe "every wind of doctrine." Jesus says we are to come like children -- and that means in this case, with humility -- but that's not the same as remaining as children. D'oh!
- 4:25 Paul says we shouldn't lie, but elsewhere the Bible approves it. See here.
- 4:26 "Let not the sun go down upon your wrath." SAB likes this one.
4:28 Don't steal, but rather work so that you will have something to give to those who are in need. Ditto.
- 4:29 "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying." Sounds like a good rule, but if it were applied to the bible, there wouldn't be much left. (See Mal.2:3, Ezek.23:20, and Jg.29:22-30 for some rather unedifying bible verses.) It's a shame that SAB has become such a weenie that words hurt him as much as sticks and stones.
- 4:31-32 Some good advice about being kind to others. Likes it.
- 5:2 The bloody death of Jesus smelled good to God. And other than SAB's fear of blood, the problem is, what?
- 5:11 To JWs, everything outside of the Watchtower Organization is controlled by Satan. Who cares?
- 5:21 Should we fear God? See here.
- 5:22-24 Paul orders wives to submit themselves to their husbands "in every thing" as though they were gods. "For the husband is the head of the wife." See series here for more than rhetoric.
- 5:33 Love your wife as yourself. He likes it, apparently.
- 6:5 Paul, who apparently approves of slavery, orders slaves to obey their masters "as unto Christ." But Jesus said that we should have no masters but him (Mt.4:10, 23:10). See here and here.
- 6:9 This verse says that God respects no one, but many other Bible verses disagree (Gen.4:4, Ex.2:25, Lev.26:9, 2 Kg.13:23, Ps.138:6). See here.
Phillippians
- 1:10 Paul tells the Philippians to be good "till the day of Christ." So he must have expected Jesus to return within their lifetimes. And he did. See series here (though the verse actually does not require such a thing; see Paul article).
- 2:3-4 Don't fight, be humble, and look after the needs of others. Likes it.
- 2:6 This verse implies that Jesus is God -- or is equal to God, anyway. But this is denied elsewhere in the New Testament (Jn.8:40, 14:28, 20:17; Acts 17:31, 1 Tim.2:5). Try some actual scholarship. See here.
- 2:10 Everyone will have to worship Jesus -- whether they want to or not. And the problem is, what?
- 3:2 "Beware of dogs ... beware of the concision." I'm not sure who Paul is calling "dogs" here. Some say he is referring to Jews -- to those of "the concision", as opposed to Christians, who are of the "true circumcision". In any case, Paul is expressing hostility and intolerance toward his fellow human beings. Weenies like SAB may grab their hankies and read this.
- 4:5 Paul thought that the end was near and that Jesus would return soon after he wrote these words. See above.
- 4:8 Here is some good advice that we all should follow: "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." He likes it.