http://www.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2013/02/22/the-weekend-line Comments On: The weekend line by Lindsey Millar en-us Copyright 2013 Arkansas Times. All rights reserved. This RSS file is offered to individuals, Arkansas Times readers, and non-commercial organizations only. Any commercial websites wishing to use this RSS file, please contact Arkansas Times. robert@arktimes.com (Arkansas Times Webmaster) Sat, 25 May 2013 00:00:01 -0500 Sat, 25 May 2013 02:00:00 -0500 Foundation http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss
BTW, I took one of the links to your website and looked around for a bit. I will never accuse you of ducking me again because you site looks like you have to put in a lot of work to keep it current. I can admire the house without necessarily appreciating the message found in the house. Actually, I DO appreciate the message--just don't agree with it. Keep up the good work.

I'm going to post my thoughts on "Crimes and Misdemeanors" soon. I will do it on one of the open lines so we won't have to keep going farther and farther back into the archives. The topics on these blogs seem to have a very short half-life.

I noticed the link on your homepage to the Ark Times blog. Now I know you're not a garden-variety troll. You must see it more like missionary work.
Posted by Olphart]]> Mon, 25 Feb 2013 20:28:12 -0600 Arkansas Times
Now lets look at my answer to that and I thought it was pretty short and simple:
HE WAS HUNG ON A WEAK ROPE THAT EVENTUALLY BROKE.

Can't get much shorter and simpler than that. Tell me why that is not totally reasonable?
Posted by SalineRepublican]]> Mon, 25 Feb 2013 10:49:58 -0600 Arkansas Times
You call that a simple direct answer? The answer sounds so convoluted because it is. The thing is that you've got an obvious contradiction right in front of you. Then you start thinking to yourself, "now how could this NOT be a contradiction?". As you say "how could both be true". Then you come up with this? Very, very weak. The Bible doesn't say that Judas purchased a field with his blood, it said he purchased a field. Surely, the people who wrote that assumed that money or some other commodity passed hands and not metaphorical "blood" or "wickedness". I would have rationalized the contradiction this way: "ye must be dead again" which would give you a nice symmetry to go along with the part about being born again. Neater and not nearly as unbelievably convoluted. Hung on a weak rope indeed.

"Brethren, the Scripture had to be fulfilled"

Out of the mouth of babes, the simple truth comes. OF COURSE, it HAS to be fulfilled, otherwise you don't have a consistent narrative!

You pointed out, correctly, that the prophesies of the Old Testament came before the New Testament was written. I know that but, I guess I didn't make myself clear about the NT narrative was written to MATCH UP with the prophesies. I'll try to make myself more clear on this by imagining a conversation between two Jews putting together some of the original source material for the New Testament. I'm not doing this because I think you won't understand it but, more so for me, in order to clarify my meaning.

Of course, nobody knows who wrote the source material for the Gospels, but we can assume that it was written soon after the death of Jesus.

The conversation takes place between Sol and Maury who collaborate writing down the true story of Jesus. They need to get all their ducks in-a-row perchance someone challenges them on the details later.

Maury: OK, Sol, let's start at the beginning here with the birth of the Messiah. Jesus of Nazareth was born in Bethlehem.

Sol: Stop right there, you said he was from Nazareth which we both know to be the truth.

Maury: Truth, schmoof. The prophet said that the Messiah was born in Bethlehem so He will be born in Bethlehem.

Sol: Jesus Christ, Maury, we can't start this out with a big fat lie! This is some Holy shit we're puttin' down here!

Maury: Sol, you're such a schmuck. We will get the Savior fetus to Bethlehem. We just have to figure out how. And must I remind you that we're setting all kinds of precedents here with our work. You shouldn't be taking our Lord's name in vain here right off the bat, it's a bad example.

Sol glaring at Maury: Who died and put you in charge, Maury? Besides, how we gonna get Mary down to Bethlehem on such short notice? You know the only transportation we have in this backwater hell-hole is these little asses we ride around on. Lucky, to go 50 cubits a day on one. Oye vey!

Maury: I got it! Augustus calls for a census count, for taxin' purposes. And... Le's'say everybody'll have to come down to Bethlehem to do it. That'll get Mary where we need her and get everybody- from now on all pissed off about taxes at the same time.

Sol, rubbin' his chin: Yeah, like killin' two birds with one stone, kinda like the good ol' days when everybody got stoned. I'm gonna write a song about it.

Maury: Work on the song on your own time. Now, we gotta figure out how to get 3 kings down to Bethlehem for adorin' duty.

Maury and Sol laugh hysterically.

Saline, there is no historical record of this census.
Posted by Olphart]]> Sun, 24 Feb 2013 20:24:11 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by Verla Sweere]]> Sun, 24 Feb 2013 17:02:06 -0600 Arkansas Times
According to the Gospel of Matthew, Judas repented his betrayal (27:4 - “I have sinned in betraying innocent blood”) and tried to return the silver to the chief priests, throwing the coins on the Temple floor. He then committed suicide by hanging himself. The Book of Acts offers a different account of what happened to Judas. It is said Judas purchased a field and fell in headfirst onto the field where “all his bowels gushed out” (1:18). One final question, Saline: How did Judas Iscariot die?

___________

THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION OLPHART IS THAT HE WAS HUNG ON A WEAK ROPE THAT EVENTUALLY BROKE.

Gleason Archer puts it like this:

One of the most common accounts used as a contradiction is how did Judas die, by hanging or falling down? By hanging (Matthew 27:3-8) - "Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, he felt remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4saying, "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood." But they said, "What is that to us? See to that yourself!" 5And he threw the pieces of silver into the sanctuary and departed; and he went away and hanged himself. 6And the chief priests took the pieces of silver and said, "It is not lawful to put them into the temple treasury, since it is the price of blood." 7And they counseled together and with the money bought the Potter’s Field as a burial place for strangers. 8For this reason that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day." By falling (Acts 1:16-19) - "Brethren, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 17"For he was counted among us, and received his portion in this ministry." 18(Now this man acquired a field with the price of his wickedness; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. 19And it became known to all who were living in Jerusalem; so that in their own language that field was called Hakeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)"

There is no contradiction here at all because both are true. Remember, a contradiction occurs when one statement excludes the possibility of another. What happened here is that Judas went and hung himself and then his body later fell down and split open. In other words, the rope or branch of the tree probably broke due to the weight and his body fell down and his bowels spilled out. Also, notice that Matt. 27:3-8 tells us specifically how Judas died, by hanging. Acts 1:16-19 merely tells us that he fell headlong and his bowels gushed out. Acts does not tell us that this is the means of his death where Matthew does.
Posted by SalineRepublican]]> Sun, 24 Feb 2013 16:22:25 -0600 Arkansas Times
Olphart you accused me of being evasive and not answering your questions. Nothing could be father from the truth. 

Let me tell you who runs and hides. It is the humanists that don't want to answer simple questions such as why was it wrong for Hitler to kill the Jews?  He declared them nonpersons then proceeded to kill them off and according to humanists he will never be punished for his crimes.

I gave you a direct answer concerning Sagan and Hitler. It was a theological answer. How can I say for sure anyone is in hell because if one humbles one's self and repents and puts their faith in Christ for their salvation then then they will be in heaven. 

Eph. 2:8-10 says salvation is not a result of works lest we boast but it also says good works will be present after one is born again. 

Christ is the only way to heaven John 14:6 tells us. 

Olphart you are knowledgable about the bible and probably know what my evangelical views are on this.

I have to answer this way because of people such as Jeffrey Dolmer and other great sinners who supposedly put their faith in Christ alone for their salvation. Is Dolmer in heaven?  I can only give a theological answer.

Let me comment on the method of stoning. It was the accepted method of capital punishment by the Jews and it would have been expected if the Jews had been allowed to kill Jesus, but then the Romans arrived on the scene.

In Isaiah 53 we have a prediction that the Jews would have the messiah killed. However, in Psalms 22 we have over a dozen exact descriptions of crucifixion. Remember that the Dead Sea Scrolls prove both Psalms and  Isaiah were written well over a century before Christ was born.


Olphart that ruins your point about the prediction coming after the event it describes. 

I respect you for many of your past comments that show that you are a very educated person that cares deeply for your fellow Arkansans and the big issues we face. I salute you for that. You are humorous at times and I am glad you have a good personality when so many people out there act like they can't even enjoy life. 

I will post again the first chance I get. I am sorry that I had to work overtime on Saturday and I barely had time to catch the Arkansas v Florida basketball game. Most people at the restaurant with me watching the game in Orlando were Florida fans and they enjoyed getting revenge on my Hogs. I did not tell them I was a hog fan because I was saving that for when the game got close.

The reason we were watching the game with great interest was because it counted. If it didn't count then who would care?  Do you think this life will count for eternity? You can't say "Yes" because you don't believe in the final judgement. You don't think anyone up there is watching us or that we created in God's image knowing the difference between good and evil.

Olphart according to you Hitler got off "scott free" like Aunt May contended in Woody Allen's movie "Crimes and Misdemeanors."
Posted by SalineRepublican]]> Sun, 24 Feb 2013 13:20:17 -0600 Arkansas Times
You made some good points and asked some good questions. I will answer every one.
Posted by SalineRepublican]]> Sun, 24 Feb 2013 10:31:50 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by PotKettleBlack]]> Sat, 23 Feb 2013 23:26:44 -0600 Arkansas Times
Yes, quite accurate and much better than a Republican sin tax.

I'm so sorry!
Posted by Olphart]]> Sat, 23 Feb 2013 18:20:29 -0600 Arkansas Times
Maybe not politically correct but "In the land of the blind, the sighted-man is king".

I'm reserving judgement on him for now.
Posted by Olphart]]> Sat, 23 Feb 2013 18:16:16 -0600 Arkansas Times
Like when I have too much iron in my diet? I'll giv'er a try.
Posted by Olphart]]> Sat, 23 Feb 2013 17:35:57 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by plainjim]]> Sat, 23 Feb 2013 10:22:38 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by Verla Sweere]]> Sat, 23 Feb 2013 09:39:23 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by Aaron Burchfield]]> Sat, 23 Feb 2013 08:04:18 -0600 Arkansas Times
Verla, I was moved so deeply by what you wrote. Matthew's loved ones have lost him twice. There are too many like him and his name should be added to those who lost their lives in that useless war.

I'm so glad your granddaughter is doing well. My nephew was born in 1964 and died in 1993. I can't help but think if he had been born 10 or 15 years later, he might still be with us. The doctors only gave him 10 or 15 years when he was born. There have been so many advances since he was born with more to come.

Sis, you win the internets today with your explanation of how mountaingirl's spelling was the correct one.

And wouldn't you know after being without internet service for a week (FU Windstream), Max would be off gallivanting around the globe leaving the slug-a-beds in charge here. Everybody can't be a lark, I suppose.
Posted by the outlier]]> Sat, 23 Feb 2013 07:21:48 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by LinCo_Progressive]]> Sat, 23 Feb 2013 05:52:17 -0600 Arkansas Times
Until I got home and found out President Obama's administration just urged the SCOTUS to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act, calling the law unconstitutional because it violates "the fundamental guarantee of equal protection."

Oh. My. God. THAT'S fabulous!

Talk about historic national leadership! Talk about a politician, for once, taking an ethical, principled stand LOUDLY and CLEARLY!

No hedging. No caving to regressive right-wing religious fundamentalists and bullies. No pandering for votes or popularity.

A real Leader who's acting like one, for a change. A GREAT change, considering the ugly status of contemporary American politics.

To top it off? The first black President.

Talk about Pride operating on SO MANY LEVELS! Honor for the Constitution, for America as a nation, for equality, for LGBT Americans, for blacks and minorities, for love and respect, for courage and integrity at the top!

Maybe . . . just maybe . . . President Obama's example of genuine humanity and truth will shine the light on others who are ready to join forces to lead the way with the BEST America has to offer . . . and expose the ugly lies and roiling religious hatred that's lately threatened to engulf the nation (as it already has your state and others).

Maybe a shark's been jumped and the tide has turned.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, President Obama!
Posted by Norma Bates]]> Sat, 23 Feb 2013 05:08:12 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by eLwood]]> Sat, 23 Feb 2013 04:33:05 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by Paul Covert]]> Sat, 23 Feb 2013 00:36:43 -0600 Arkansas Times
Had to get that out of my system.
Posted by Olphart]]> Fri, 22 Feb 2013 23:25:38 -0600 Arkansas Times
Erbody knows what a wench is for. You haul your deer over a tree limb for bleedin while it's warm. cut it's main neck arteries and let it bleed out so the meet will be tender and taste good.

You can also use it to launch a bass boat off a real steep boat launch. You can pull little cars out of the ditch too.
Posted by eLwood]]> Fri, 22 Feb 2013 22:32:32 -0600 Arkansas Times
I'm sorry for how Matthew's life came to an end. As a vet, I agree he was a war casualty.
Posted by Sound Policy]]> Fri, 22 Feb 2013 22:25:03 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by Self Appointed Arbiter]]> Fri, 22 Feb 2013 22:18:21 -0600 Arkansas Times Posted by Paul Covert]]> Fri, 22 Feb 2013 22:10:35 -0600 Arkansas Times My deepest condolences. Your heart has been greatly burdened by too much grief lately.
Posted by HardHeadedWoman]]> Fri, 22 Feb 2013 21:56:51 -0600 Arkansas Times