Bullets: Brief philosophical reply to Bruce Arthur
• I have listened to Bruce Arthur over the years and appreciate much of his hockey commentary.
• A brief philosophical reply to...
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• Quoting Arthur: 'I feel bad for James Reimer. He’s had a decent NHL career, especially for someone from the tiny town of Morweena, Man. He was a sheltered evangelical Mennonite kid whose belief in Scripture was so profound that he would apologize to someone for saying unkind things about them in private; things that person would never have known about had Reimer not apologized. In his own words, Reimer believes in loving everyone. We should all aspire to that.
But Reimer can’t quite get there, and it’s a shame.'
• Bruce, based on this story, how can you reasonably opine that Reimer is...
a) Sheltered?
b) Not loving everyone?
• Bruce, from the start here, philosophically, a person does not have to agree with the worldview and/or philosophy of another person, to love that person.
• As well, loving people with different worldviews and philosophies is a very New Testament perspective as well, as Jesus stated:
• English Standard Version (ESV) Matthew 5: 44
But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you...
• Right. One should not publicly ethically and morally endorse a view he/she is opposed to.
• Quoting: Bigot: a person who has very strong, unreasonable beliefs or opinions about race, religion or politics and who will not listen to or accept the opinions of anyone who disagrees
• Bruce, who here is viewing the opinions of others as unreasonable?
• Quoting Reimer: “I strongly believe that every person has value and worth, and the LGBTQIA+ community, like all others, should be welcomed in all aspects of the game of hockey,” the statement concludes.
• But Bruce, based on your article, you seem displeased with Reimer publicly embracing his Christian worldview on this issue.
• Philosophically, Reimer here is not being a bigot.
• Quoting Arthur: Religion has been used as a skirt for bigotry for an awfully long time, and if you want to selectively pick from Biblical teachings, you’re allowed.
• Bruce, if you knew the Hebrew Bible and New Testament reasonably well, you would know that Reimer is taking a contextual, biblical, theological, philosophical, position.
• Add poor biblical reasoning to poor philosophical reasoning, on this issue, Bruce.
• Bruce re: to selectively pick from Biblical teachings...
• Jesus chose Saul/Paul as an Apostle in Acts, Chapter 9.
• Paul is the key theological apostle in the New Testament...
• Sanctioned by God the Son (the resurrected Jesus Christ), God the Father and God the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Paul stated that homosexuality was sinful.
• As I noted in my previous article on this subject, Romans 1:26-27 discusses the issue of homosexuality. James D.G. Dunn states that Paul's attitude to homosexual practice is unambiguous. Dunn (1988: 74). For Paul this practice is a passion not worthy of respect and is unnatural. Dunn (1988: 74).
• Cranfield notes from the Biblical text an abandonment of natural intercourse with the opposite sex, for same sex intercourse. Cranfield writes that Paul is explaining that homosexual acts are contrary to nature and the creator's intention. Cranfield (1992: 35). It is perversion that is condemned. Cranfield (1992: 36).
• Mounce states that Paul views homosexual practice as shameful, unnatural, indecent, and a perversion. Mounce (1995: 82). Mounce traces it back to the Old Testament condemnation in Leviticus 18:22. Mounce (1995: 82-33). Mounce further writes that in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Paul notes that homosexual offenders will not be allowed to enter the Kingdom of God. Mounce (1995: 82-83). These offenders are 'soft ones' who allow themselves to be used as women. Mounce (1995: 83). Mounce makes the very reasonable deduction that there is no room for the allowance in the Christian Church of homosexual practice since it is clearly condemned in both Testaments. Mounce (1995: 82-83).
• Quoting Arthur: Indeed, Reimer’s confused explanation of how he couldn’t wear an Islamic-themed jersey despite being a friend of former Leafs teammate Nazem Kadri showed a man who has chosen a fundamental and fundamentalist insularity.
• No Bruce, Reimer is not confused here.
• Reimer is a man that is demonstrating philosophical and religious, worldview consistency and integrity.
• Reimer is not obliged to wear any jersey that embraces a philosophy and/or religious worldview, such as Islam, that he does not agree with it.
• Obviously, a person can be friends with someone of another worldview without embracing that worldview.
• The gospel message includes the theology that divine regeneration (John 3, Titus 3, 1 Peter 1) enlightens the human being.
• All humanity being universally sinful, homosexual or not.
• In regeneration to instead embrace the applied atoning and resurrection work of Jesus Christ for salvation, while turning from sin, by grace through faith, alone.
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