Are sins and mistakes the same thing?
Are all things we commanded not to do sins if we do them?
Does what is defined as sin change over time?

You know, I am not sure about exact answers on anything, but I like to think about them. People who are quick to spout of exact blanket answers always strike me as having shallow faith. I like to call them bobbleheads, because I have shallow humor.

How ironic though, eh. You, Rick, didn’t respond out of reasoning but out of emotion. You didn’t provide an example of my jerkdom. It would be nice to know, particularly for those reading what your write who might wonder if you have any evidence and if I would respond in a mature manner or in a jerklike manner (as I did in the previous paragraph, providing you with an example of what it really looks like.)

Although, you probably don’t need an example since you provided an amazing one yourself.

It’s just a matter of psychological projection. (Projection: If you’re always honest, you assume everyone else is always honest because you assume everyone else is like you. If you are a compulsive liar, you assume everyone else lies, because you assume everyone else is just like you.)

So, when you call me a jerk and see me as condescending, it is more likely that you are that way yourself and assume that everyone else is as well.

Now, if you would like, you can call me more names and throw more insults my way, which I will not have any problem with (it makes you look bad, not me), or you can actually explain for everyone reading (and impress them) how it is that I’m condescending and what I wrote that provides evidence that I’m a jerk.

If you can teach me how your assessment is correct, I will really appreciate it will make me better able to see how I can correct my ways. And, I will be happy to apologize for anything I’ve written that was condescending or jerklike.

Let me apologize for the first paragraph in this response to you Rick, if it is not seen as merely an example of being a jerk. I would not have even considered writing it if it weren’t so apt a response to your fine example.

In other words, (and I’m going to be jerklike and condescending again here, but only because it drives the point home, not because I want to be jerklike or condescending) I am apologizing for mimicking you (projection).

The ball is now in your court, although it is off topic regarding the sinless nature of Jesus Christ.

But you were also wrong to conclude that I was baiting your husband. As a point of fact, I genuinely thought, when he wasn’t responding to my question, that he was only being a trouble maker. And, because I believe your explanation, I willing acknowledge that I was incorrect.

However, I did not take it as an insult when you claimed that I was baiting your husband (which probably made me seem like a trouble maker in your eyes). I could easily see how you might draw that incorrect conclusion.

One caution though, if you are going to go on the attack and unvite people who write things that provoke you in a negative fashion, you are going to hinder your husband’s interest in “knowlege and understanding.”

There’s a quote that says, “Kites rise against, not with, the wind.”

There’s also another quote that says, “If your absence doesn’t make any difference, your presence won’t either.”

If you really want to grow in knowledge and understanding, you’ve got to allow for the presence of people to draw incorrect and negative conclusions without getting so defensive about it. You can correct them but telling them they are not wanted is an unhealthy initial response. If they are absent from providing information, the growth of knowledge and understanding is hindered.

If they cannot be corrected, that might be different.

Also, it’s probably not a good idea to play the “wife” card in justifying your attack and defense. It speaks volumes about your prefering to be emotional rather than reasonable about your arguments.

To put it in another set of words, it’s like saying, “I care about my husband because I am emotionally bonded to him and so anyone who says anything negative about him will have to deal with me. I’m not interested in reasoning through the circumstances, I want to end the circumstances. Be nice or get lost.”

I might be wrong about the conclusion I’m drawing (and feel free to correct me again) but that is the impression your argument makes.

I suspect that you’re going to fire me now, particularly if this message upset you emotionally.

One other thought regarding knowledge and understanding, education is NOT the solution. Too many people incorrectly claim that it is. The truth is that if you could be fully educated on any particular issue, knowing all the matters that are wrong about it and all those that are right, you can still choose to do the wrong thing. People do it all the time — choosing to do the wrong thing, fully knowing that it’s wrong before they choose it, but choosing it anyway just because they want to choose it.

It is wrong, but Kim doesn’t really care what others think about him. I do, but then I am his wife.

If my conclusions were wrong about Kim, I’m truly glad to hear it.

Incidentally, no insult was intended. Whoever drew that conclusion was also incorrect.

You know nothing about my husband and why he asks questions. He does not try to create’ doubt’ in anyone. He desires knowledge and understanding and does not like being baited (as you did) or when people refuse to take things seriously. He encourages those he serves to grow and develop their faith. If you are serious about participating then continue to do so, but do NOT insult my husband when you know nothing at all about him. If so, you are not welcome here.