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Title: When It Comes to Pot, Pain, and Cancer, Jeff Sessions Is An Idiot
Source: Reason
URL Source: https://reason.com/archives/2018/03 ... sions-idiot-pot-cancer-opioids
Published: Mar 3, 2018
Author: Matt Kibbe
Post Date: 2018-03-03 17:48:15 by Deckard
Keywords: None
Views: 6979
Comments: 66

SAIT SERKAN GURBUZ/REUTERS/Newscom

I am a stage-four cancer survivor. No, that's wrong. I'm not a survivor. I beat cancer's ass into the ground, dusted myself off, and proceeded on with life. I don't consider myself, or the millions of other people who deal with life-threatening or chronic conditions, a victim. We are not. But surely, patients have enough to manage already without the idiocy rattling through Attorney General Jeff Sessions' teeth every time he opines on opiods, cannabis, and pain management.

That's right, I said it. Someone had to. Jeff Sessions is an idiot. The problem is plain for anyone who has had an experience like mine to see: Our top federal law enforcement officer has no idea what real pain is really like, or what doctors do to manage it.

Sessions recently told the surely apocryphal story about current White House Chief of Staff, and former four-star general, John Kelly refusing pain killers during hand surgery. I have no doubt that the general is one bad ass individual. But really? Did he wash the wound with tequila before the first incision, while grinding his teeth on a stick?

Watch Sessions tell the story here. It is itself quite painful. It's like your crazy great uncle's circa-1950s-liquor-fueled rants you are subjected to once every year at Thanksgiving dinner. The difference is that your crazy great uncle is kind of endearing when he's drunk, and his opinions are harmless. This crazy uncle is the Attorney General of the United States, and he has all the power to act on his feelings, and he clearly intends to do so.

"The plain fact, I believe, and I am operating on the assumption that this country prescribes too many opioids," Sessions told a gathering in Tampa a few weeks ago. "I mean, people need to take some, uh, aspirin sometimes, and tough it out a little."

"Believe." "Assumption." "Too many." Forget the fact he doesn't have the slightest notion of the difference between acute pain, like when a surgical scalpel cuts into your flesh, and chronic pain, that can last indefinitely. And I wonder what exactly "Dr." Sessions means by too many? Which patients, with what conditions, under what circumstances will be determined by the federal government to be deserving of pain relief? And who, exactly, is just going to have to "tough it out a little bit?"

The Attorney General probably doesn't have any specific patient in mind. He doesn't exactly appear to be focused on individual patients. He just wants to make sure that fewer patients are prescribed opioids to manage their pain—and he is weaponizing the federal government in order to accomplish this goal.

The Associate Press reported last month that, according to Sessions, "the Drug Enforcement Agency is now asking medical practitioners whether they have received continuing medical education on prescribing or dispensing opioids when they apply for a license or renew."

Sessions is forcing doctors to make an ugly choice: Either do best by their patients and adhere to their Hippocratic Oath—or suffer the bureaucratic harassment from the powerful Drug Enforcement Agency, and risk the loss of their license to practice medicine. If incentives matter, and they do, expect doctors to start making bad choices for their patients.

I remember a time, not too long ago, when Republicans and conservatives proclaimed loudly and often that health care choices should be between patients and doctors, and the federal government should keep its nose out. But those well-worn talking points have been shelved, replaced with a new form of medical authoritarianism.

For me, it's personal. I was diagnosed with cancer in 2001. I have been injected with aggressive chemotherapy cocktails that leave you feeling like you have the worst hangover ever, except that it goes on for months. And there's extensive nerve damage. If you are a masochist, you can read more gory details here.

I have undergone multiple surgeries that sliced me open from stem to stern, each time leaving dozens of surgical staples in my belly, making my torso look like I big zipper. Years later, I still deal with collateral damage from the battle, including scar tissue in my abdomen that can generate significant pain. With all due respect to tough guy John Kelly, I doubt he has felt real pain, the kind that makes you wish you were dead, until scar tissue from past surgeries manages to strangle your intestines closed.

And, yes, it irritates me to retell these stories. I'm not nearly old enough yet to be spending my waning days on the porch, telling my octogenarian friends about all the parts of my body that are broken. I was hoping to save the good stuff for when my wife finally sends me away to a geezer farm in the country.

Of course opioid addicition is a real problem, and opioid abuse is indeed dangerous. I have friends who have told their stories about managing pain, and addiction. They all sought other forms of treatment, settling on medical cannabis as a safer, more effective treatment for debilitating pain, and other chronic conditions.

I can recount countless stories of patients using cannabis to get off of opioids. But here comes the idiocy again. Jeff Sessions has said that "good people don't smoke marijuana," and that he believes that cannabis is the gateway drug that leads to opioid abuse. "We think a lot of this is starting with marijuana," he says at that same piece of performance art in Tampa. The research, of course, says the opposite.

So with traditional pharmaceuticals and cannabis off the table, I guess I really will have to "tough it out a bit."

When I sat down to write this piece, I debated using the word idiot. It's intemperate, you might say. So I Googled it. "Idiot: A stupid person. Synonyms: fool, jackass, knucklehead, numbskull, nitwit, asshat." It might as well have just said "Jeff Sessions." (1 image)

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#1. To: Deckard (#0)

I can recount countless stories of patients using cannabis to get off of opioids.

If someone uses marijuana to get off opioids, they didn't belong on opioids. Nor do they belong on marijuana.

misterwhite  posted on  2018-03-03   18:03:00 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#2. To: Deckard (#0)

When It Comes to Pot, Pain, and Cancer, Jeff Sessions Is An Idiot

I don't believe he likes to restrict his idiocy to merely the area of weed. I think he likes to range much further than that,like any other senile old fool.

In the entire history of the world,the only nations that had to build walls to keep their own citizens from leaving were those with leftist governments.

sneakypete  posted on  2018-03-03   19:17:00 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#3. To: misterwhite (#1)

If someone uses marijuana to get off opioids, they didn't belong on opioids. Nor do they belong on marijuana.

And you know this based on what,what your dog told you?

In the entire history of the world,the only nations that had to build walls to keep their own citizens from leaving were those with leftist governments.

sneakypete  posted on  2018-03-03   19:17:44 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#4. To: Deckard (#0)

He just wants to make sure that fewer patients are prescribed opioids to manage their pain—and he is weaponizing the federal government in order to accomplish this goal.

No he wants people to stop abusing the pills.

A K A Stone  posted on  2018-03-03   19:29:42 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#5. To: sneakypete (#3)

If someone uses marijuana to get off opioids, they didn't belong on opioids. Nor do they belong on marijuana. And you know this based on what,what your dog told you?

It is just common sense you bitter old geezer.

A K A Stone  posted on  2018-03-03   19:30:54 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#6. To: Deckard (#0) (Edited)

When It Comes to Pot, Pain, and Cancer, Jeff Sessions Is An Idiot
A portion of that statement may be true, but Jess Sessions’ primary duty to our great nation is not to deal with pain and cancer. It is his sworn obligation to enforce the laws of the land and that includes laws involving marijuana.

Members of the Oath Keepers organization took an oath and they are fulfilling that oath:

Recognizing that we each swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and affirming that we are guardians of the Republic, of the principles in our Declaration of Independence, and of the rights of our people, we affirm and declare the following ...
Be it recognized that Jeff Sessions is also an “oath keeper” who took an oath and is fulfilling that oath:
The federal government requires civil servants to sign a loyalty oath to "bear true faith and allegiance" to the state and national constitutions, and to defend both documents "against all enemies, foreign and domestic." Employees must also pledge to perform the jobs for which they have been hired.

As the Attorney General, it is Jeff Sessions’ duty to ensure that the laws of the United States are enforced and that the Constitutional order is upheld.

Why do you praise the “Oath Keepers” for keeping their oath, and at the same time side with people who want Jeff Sessions to violate his oath and ignore laws that you do not like? Is there some rational to this dilemma that you can explain to everyone?

You must come to terms with the reality that you simply cannot pick and choose which laws you wish to obey….unless of course you want to do jail time. If we all arbitrarily pick and choose which laws to follow, our whole civilized society will collapse.

If you don’t like the Marijuana Laws, then work to get the laws changed. Don’t work to try and get Jeff Sessions to violate his oath and ignore the laws just for you. That will never happen.

It would be interesting to learn if you, as the professed Christian you claim to be, pick and choose which Biblical Laws to follow.

Romans 13:1-14 (English Standard Version) -
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. ...
Do you pick and choose which Biblical Laws to follow?

Gatlin  posted on  2018-03-03   21:20:50 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#7. To: Gatlin, Satan, FEMA preachers, Clergy Response Team, Evil Government Not Ordained by God, Deckard (#6)

What does Paul say in Romans 13 about government, really? How does that apply to American politics and emergencies. The lie that all government is ordained by God is answered plainly and directly. God is righteous and ordained righteous government to enforce His justice by defending the people and their divinely established unalienable rights. Don't fall for the lies of paid off, sold out FEMA preachers, Clergy Response Team members.

Get thee behind me, Satan Gatlin, evil doer!

You're lying about the Bible. Despicable.

Hondo68  posted on  2018-03-03   21:51:48 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#8. To: hondo68, gatlin (#7)

If you have time fatlin give the minister a listen. He is making sense on what I've listened to so far.

A K A Stone  posted on  2018-03-03   22:19:41 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#9. To: Deckard (#0)

When It Comes to Pot, Pain, and Cancer, Jeff Sessions Is An Idiot

So is Deckard.

rlk  posted on  2018-03-03   22:25:45 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#10. To: A K A Stone, hondo68 (#8) (Edited)

If you have time fatlin give the minister a listen. He is making sense on what I've listened to so far.
I watched the Brother Ken video hondo posted, it sounds like Brother Ken and Deckard went to the same school. That is not a sarcastic remark, it is a true observation.

After watching the Brother Ken Christian voice08 video, I then did about 3 hours of research for Brother Ken. Yea, one of the videos exposing Brother Ken was almost 2 hours long….I watched it all.

I find no last name for Brother Ken and no address for his ministry from google. I find no validation that he is even a minister. Strange.

While google searches turned up nothing on him, I was able so find some more Brother Ken Christian Voice09 here. I did not have the time to listen to all of Brother Ken’s sermons….but I did listen to the first part of all of them and I listened enough to determine he is no preacher I will ever go to church on Sunday to listen to. I have now seen and heard all of Brother Ken that I ever need.

Then surpassingly, I found two videos by Robert Guercia where Robert exposed Brother Ken for what Robert saw him to really be. Robert sounded very convincing and he made sense to me. I also found a video by Song Swan getting after Brother Ken for condemning Christian Music.

So, you and hondo can listen to Brother Ken Christian voice08 all you want to and believe whatever he says….as for me, I will pass on him. I am in agreement with most all of the comments posted below in response to Robert Guercia’s videos exposing Brother Ken. You of course can form your own conclusion.

Clopsy responded to Robert Guercia’s comments about Brother Ken by saying:

Holy Cow I love how you make the proper corrections for him of the bible. He's got an ego and he just loves to manipulate the bible for his false doctrine. Nothing but lies and cliches with him. Oh how her loves to turn things into a cliche.
Wimpy Apple said about Robert Guercia’s statement:
Very good and too the point on this man [Brother Ken].
David Gr8 stated after hearing Robert Guercia’s comments:
Another good one here that really exposes him for what he was always doing. And! After investigating everything for the last few weeks. All i can say is "Brother Ken has a lot of hypocrisy in himself and double standards and are not CHRIST LIKE at all". Good job here! This is a most listen to video.
Jim Kanis commented on Brother Ken:
The sad part is he just has no real scripture backing himself. But he's like the Obama Administration in this country when he talks acting like he knows what America needs to have along with the democrats not looking at the bill of rites. Last I checked! The bible does not speak on his translations and interpretation of it.
What follows is a conversation thread between myself [Steve] and Brother Ken of ChristianVoice08 YouTube channel made on the first of his "Anti Contemporary Christian Music" videos. I pray that all who read this thread will find balance to the manner in with Ken treats nearly everyone who disagrees with him.

MY ORIGINAL COMMENT

You seem to suffer from the delusion that a "minister" or "elder" of the Church is exempt from having their teachings scrutinized , and, if appropriate, discounted.

I point you to the apostle Paul in Act 17 "10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so"

The Bereans were commended for not taking everything at "face value" and researching the scriptures for themselves.

I daresay that if Paul, who was writing the scriptures at this time under the direction of the Holy Spirit, had no problem with believers questioning the veracity of what he said, you should be more gracious 2000 years later when honest questions are raised by your exegesis / eisegesis of the Bible.

Instead you resort to ad hominem attacks on those who disagree with you. You call them "illiterate", "uneducated", "liar", "sinner", etc., ultimately banning some for having the audacity to contradict you.

You may well be a "minister" and an "elder" but I suggest you study the qualifications given by Paul for such an office and begin to behave accordingly. Pay particular attention to verse 7 "not self-willed" means "arrogant", "not soon angry" means "irascible", "no striker" means "pugnacious (quarrelsome)" (all definitions taken from Strong's Concordance.)

Titus 1

5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:

6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.

7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;

9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

BROTHER KEN'S RESPONSE

+Steve Barhydt No delusions at all. You apparently haven't read my posts below where I point out that very fact. However, you guys are obligated to be respectful of me and any other elder and minister. We are to be given DOUBLE HONOR according to Paul or maybe you hadn't read that verse before falsely accusing an elder.

I have just finished a series of conversations with "Brother Ken" concerning, not so much his stance on music, which I totally disagree with him on, but his unChristlike manner in which he deals with those who disagree with him. Unfortunately, and not surprisingly, my comments have started disappearing. With your permission, I would like to repost that conversation here on your YouTube with the prayer that those who are researching "Brother Ken" may find some balance to his rantings here. That's how I found you :)

Several of my comments are rather long and I didn't want to post them without your okay.

In Christ,

Steve

Watch these videos and then see if you still think that Brother Ken makes sense.

Robert Guercia -

Robert Guercia -

Song Swan -

Read the remarks posted below the video.

I will repeat and emphasize one of the comments.

Holy Cow I love how you make the proper corrections for him of the bible. He's got an ego and he just loves to manipulate the bible for his false doctrine. Nothing but lies and cliches with him. Oh how her loves to turn things into a cliche.
I believe it is preachers like Brother Ken that give cause to some people having the wrong attitude about Evangelicals.

Gatlin  posted on  2018-03-04   1:22:29 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#11. To: hondo68 (#7)

You're lying about the Bible. Despicable.
How can I be lying about the Bible when I posted verbatim verse from the Bible?

Since I posted a verbatim verse….it is you who is saying the Bible is a lie.

Shame on you …

Gatlin  posted on  2018-03-04   1:37:24 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#12. To: hondo68 (#7)

You're lying about the Bible. Despicable.

What did you expect from Parsons? After all - the State is his god.

“Truth is treason in the empire of lies.” - Ron Paul

Those who most loudly denounce Fake News are typically those most aggressively disseminating it.

Deckard  posted on  2018-03-04   1:42:41 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#13. To: Gatlin, hondo68 (#11)

Since I posted a verbatim verse….it is you who is saying the Bible is a lie.

Your interpretation of the Bible is false.

Romans 13: Setting It Straight

It is more than interesting that some 95% of the 14,000 evangelical churches that graced the German landscape during Hitler’s rise to power bought into the identical misinterpretation of Romans 13 that the vast majority (probably at least 95%) of the 300,000 evangelical churches that grace America’s landscape have bought into today.

For example, one German pastor in 1933 gushed, “Christ has come to us through Hitler.” In like manner, many pastors today foolishly preach that God directs us through our President (whoever he is), or our Supreme Court, or virtually any other government agency.

And speaking of the ignominious infatuation with government by Nazi-era German clergymen, Erwin Lutzer, in his brilliant book, “Hitler’s Cross”, wrote, “The swastika meant more to some pastors than did the Cross.” And there is absolutely no question that many pastors in America today place far more value on the US flag (symbolizing to them the power and authority of the state) than they do the Cross of Christ or the teachings and authority of the Holy Scriptures.

Without a doubt, tyrants of all stripes love to exploit this asinine attitude of these sheepish, slavish preachers who idolize the state! Lutzer quotes Hitler as saying, “The parsons will dig their own graves. They will betray their God to us. They will betray anything for the sake of their miserable jobs and incomes.”

And that is exactly what many pastors, deacons, elders, and churchmen are doing today: for the sake of their paychecks, insurance premiums, and retirement benefits, they are betraying the lawful authority of Christ to the tyrannical authority of the state.

And the bastardized teaching of Romans 13 is one of the major tools by which this is being done.

“Truth is treason in the empire of lies.” - Ron Paul

Those who most loudly denounce Fake News are typically those most aggressively disseminating it.

Deckard  posted on  2018-03-04   1:52:19 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#14. To: Gatlin, . Hondo68 (#6)

Romans 13:1-14 (English Standard Version) - Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. ...

Romans 13: Should Christians Obey The Government Unconditionally?

Paul is telling us we must not resist the righteous power of God - whether it is manifested in the heavenlies or in various earthly sectors - including righteous government.

When Pilate and Herod give Jesus an order to speak, Christ resists their orders and remains silent (Matthew 27:13, Luke 23:7). When Paul has been beaten illegally by evil men within the Roman government, he refuses their command to come out of the jail and defiantly says "...let them come themselves and fetch us out." (Acts 16:37). That's not resisting?

When Peter is assisted in a jail-break by an angel, how is that obeying the government? (Acts 12:7) Did the Apostle "receive damnation" because he didn't ask the evil rulers 'Can I go now?' The writer of Hebrews tells his readers "ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin." (Hebrews 12:4). That firmly implies the Christians were appropriately resisting the evil, but every instance of that resistance ending in bloodshed occurs at the hands of the authorities. Whom were they resisting? The Evil Authority.

When Stephen was murdered, it was the religious leadership of the Jews that "set up false witnesses" to justify their unlawful crime. They even brought him before the high priest who was in agreement with the heinous killing of the young Christian. (Acts 6:13, 7:1, 15). When criminal elements have a position of control and authority within the government, believers have an obligation to resist them--not to twist the scriptures into justification for compliance with an ungodly government.

“Truth is treason in the empire of lies.” - Ron Paul

Those who most loudly denounce Fake News are typically those most aggressively disseminating it.

Deckard  posted on  2018-03-04   2:01:24 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#15. To: A K A Stone (#8)

I only posted scripture verbatim for everyone to read. Brother Ken gave his opinion on about the scripture. An opinion is like an asshole….everybody has one.

Hondo said to me:

You're lying about the Bible.
And that was “despicable.”

I don’t understand how I can be “lying about the Bible” when all I did was post the scrtiptue exacelty as it appears in the Bible without changing anyone thing.

To really understand the message in the scripture in Romans 13:1-7, one needs to consider a detailed study and not just grab onto something a “preacher” tells them to think it means.

. The best place to start is with a comprehensive study is by reading the Paul and Civil Obedience in Romans 13:1-7 comprehensive study.

The purpose of this study is to focus on what Paul had to say about authorities in Romans in order that we Christians might better understand how it is that God would have us relate to those whom he, in is his sovereignty, has placed over us.

The study examines Paul's teaching on the Christian's relation to the civil authorities as outlined in Romans 13:1-7 and then compare that with 1 Peter 2:13-17. First, the study surveys the problem of the textual authenticity of the passage. Second, a translation and outline will be given followed by a brief look at the historical context of the letter and the social make-up of the church in Rome. Third, the bulk of the study will be taken up with an in-depth exegesis of the passage. Fourth, and final, certain similarities and differences between Paul and Peter will be delineated.

I will present at the end of this post, that fourth section for your convenience and ease of access.

Virtually every serious commentary on the book of Romans has had to wrestle with the integrity of the last two chapters of the work, especially chapter 16.1 But, this is not the only place in the epistle where Pauline authenticity has been questioned. There are those, who for several different reasons, reject 13:1-7 as truly from the hand of Paul.2 One such interpreter who has advanced some of the strongest arguments in favor of Romans 13:1-7 as an interpolation (i.e., a later insertion into the text) is James Kallas.3

Kallas gives two general and three specific reasons for concluding that Romans 13:1-7 is an interpolation. In terms of the general observations, he says that it is likely that Romans 13:1-7 is an interpolation because 1) it is well known that the ending of the epistle has been altered radically and 2) nowhere else does Paul speak about the Christian's relationship to the civil authorities. In response, first, concerning the ending of Romans, it must be said that while there is continuing discussion about the authenticity of chapter 16 and parts of chapter 15, it is not a forgone conclusion that they are indeed spurious. Gamble has demonstrated that there is convincing evidence leading to the conviction that Romans 16 formed the original ending to the document.4 Even if Gamble's conclusion is rejected, it is questionable to assert that a pericope (i.e. paragraph) deep within the paraenetic section of 12:1-15:13 is somehow an interpolation due to the questionable nature of chapter 16—an epistolary ending. The problem with chapter 16 cannot be assumed to have occurred in 13:1-7. 5 Second, the fact that Paul nowhere else speaks about governing authorities is an argument from silence based in part upon the doubtful authorship of the Pastorals.6 Even if the authorship of the Pastorals is questioned, it remains an argument from silence. We cannot forbid Paul to speak about something that he has hitherto, for whatever reasons, not mentioned. Paul's letters are occasional documents and the fact that he mentions something only once can more properly be explained as due to the occasion of that particular case. He mentions the Lord's supper only once (1 Cor 11:17-34). Does this mean that we should on that basis question its authenticity? Further, the universal offer (e.g. 1:16 and pantiV tw/' pisteuvonti) of the gospel to all people as outlined in the book of Romans clearly indicates its worldwide agenda. This, then, leads to the inevitable question of the relation of Christians to the state or governing authorities.7 The question of the Christian's relationship to the state is a discussion well suited to the book of Romans.

This study continues here.

The final section is devoted to a brief comparison of Romans 13:1-7 and 1 Peter 2:13-17. The point of this section of the paper is to briefly overview some of the similarities and differences between the civil instructions recorded by Paul and Peter.

I will now present the following extract of that comparison for your consideration and understanding:

Romans 13:1-7 and 1 Peter 2:13-17:

A Brief Comparison

The point of this section of the paper is to briefly overview some of the similarities and differences between the civil instructions recorded by Paul and Peter in an attempt to understand the traditions employed by both writers.

SIMILARITIES
STRUCTURAL SIMILARITIES
The Asyndetic Nature of the Passages

Both Romans 13:1-7 and 1 Peter 2:13-17 stand grammatically unconnected to their immediately preceding contexts. This may indicate that they were both pulling on a well known tradition that needed no special introduction.

The Overall Structure of the Passages

First, both writers issue the command exhorting believers to a certain posture before civil authority. Second, they proceed to relate the command to God or Christ—thus they relate it to the Christians' faith. Third, most of the remainder of the material is concerned with giving the rationale in each of the two situations for the command. In this regard, while Paul is longer both argue for the retributive function of the state as well as its role in promoting the good by praising it. Fourth, both writers end with universal appeals describing the kind of posture Christians are to maintain before all people.

LINGUISTIC SIMILARITIES

The Use of uJpotassevsqw/ujpotavghte

Both authors employ the verb uJpotavssw as the controlling idea in terms of the Christian's relationship to the state. Paul uses the present imperative, while Peter uses the aorist imperative. The result however, is virtually the same. As indicated in the commentary, the undefined action inherent in the aorist is further defined as ongoing by the use of the participle ajgaqopoiou'nta". Thus both writers are setting out what they believe to be the norm in this area. The use of this term as opposed to some other suggests that they may be following a certain common tradition. Although Paul wrote some eight years earlier there does not appear to be direct literary dependence on Peter's part.

The Use of uJperecouvsai" and uJperevconti

The use of uJperevcw once again suggests a common tradition from which these writers are drawing. They both render to Caesar and his governors the highest possible human court. Their Christianity has not caused them to dismiss worldly structures as unimportant and of no consequence in the lives of believers. In fact, both Peter and Paul argue that from the foundation of their Christianity Christians are to recognize world leaders and governmental authorities.

Eij" ejkdivkhsin and e[kdiko"

Paul and Peter both lived under and witnessed the penal authority of the Roman government. That they both refer to the government and its retributive justice with the same language of "revenge" or "avenger" would seem to point to a common understanding and tradition.

The Use of ajgaqopoiw`n/poivei ajgaqovn and e[painon Once again, both Paul and Peter use similar language, albeit not identical, to refer to the Christian's behavior in the world and before the state. The Christians are to do good and the result is, under normal conditions, that they will have praise from the authorities.

The Injunctions in Romans 13:7 and 1 Peter 2:17

The injunctions in both Romans 13:7 and 1 Peter 2:17 are universal in their appeal. Both writers use the term "all" (pavnta" in Paul and pavsin in Peter) as the object of the first verb of the commands. Peter issues four commands which eventually end in the last command to honor all men. Paul states one command and then follows it up with a fourfold list of "things owed." He ends the list focusing on honor. To be sure, there are differences that will be discussed below, but the place of this verse at the end of the passages as well as its similar structure, seem to indicate a common tradition between Peter and Paul.

CONTEXTUAL SIMILARITIES

It is a matter of no little debate concerning the role of Christology in these passages. Often times in this discussion, the broader literary and historical contexts of the writers are forgotten. The point I want to make here is that both Paul and Peter, insofar as Romans and 1 Peter are concerned, demonstrate quite clearly that they have similar theologies regarding salvation and Christian living. Both of them are therefore writing from a similar soteriological context and perspective. This is important when trying to assess the relative weight to be placed upon differences in these texts. Differences do not have to be taken as incompatibilities, unless of course there is genuinely a material contradiction.

DIFFERENCES
OVERALL CONTENT

Paul saw the need to communicate almost twice as much material on the subject of the state than did Peter. This, of course, is not a serious difference, but one that raises the question as to the nature of the extra material, as well as the redaction question and the nature of the original tradition. The former question will be looked at below, but the latter will have to await further study.

THE HISTORICAL CONTEXT FOR APPLICATION It is difficult to ascertain the exact context in which Paul is applying this tradition. Perhaps it has to do with taxes, but this is in no way a certainty. The best that can be said is that his audience is in Rome and Paul had no doubts that Christians and the state would soon have dealings; especially in the capital city. For this reason he instructs the church on the relationship they must maintain with the state.

Peter on the other hand, is dealing with false accusations arising from the populace and directed at Christians (2:11, 12). He appears to take Christian tradition on church-state relations and applies it to the Christians so that the state will not entertain the accusations and decide to persecute the Church. That is, the Christians are to silence the slander by doing good and in this way the state will not be provoked to disciplinary measures (cf. 2:15).

PAUL'S THEOLOGY OF THE DIVINE ORIGIN OF THE STATE

Paul maintains a solid commitment to originating all civil authority in God's appointment (13:1-2). Peter does not explicate such ideas as clearly. But, with the presence of ktivsei (1 Pet 2:13), it is possible to see traces of this idea. For Peter, because the authorities are created human beings, they owe their origin to the Creator God . Paul goes much further than Peter does in expanding on these ideas. He refers to the state as the diavkono" and leitourgoiv of God. This is absent in Peter. On the other hand, Peter urges submission to the state, based in part on the theology of the Christian's freedom (cf. 1:18; 2:16).

THE ULTIMATE JURISDICTION OF THE STATE

Both Paul and Peter materially agree on this as pointed out above. But Paul goes much further than Peter does. He talks about the power of the state to legitimately determine life and death. For Paul the state does not bear the sword for nothing, and, as such, acts as God's avenger for the meting out of punishment. Perhaps such an idea is inherent in ejkdivkhsin in 1 Peter 2:14, but it is not spelled out as clearly as in Paul.

PRELIMINARY CONCLUSIONS

There are a fair number of further similarities and differences that were not mentioned as they seem to be relatively minor to the task at hand. The similarities that are mentioned, however, are enough to demonstrate that while there does not appear to be literary dependence (though such a possibility is open on chronological/historical considerations), both Paul and Peter appear to be drawing on a similar Christian tradition. The differences in emphases concerning the rationale for the command to submit can probably be accounted for on the basis of the different historical situations to which each was writing. The overall structure of the passages is similar and both emphatically maintain that the Christian's relation to the state is to be one of submission. This is an important fact. Thus, both Paul and Peter agree in large measure on the origin (i.e., in God), nature (i.e. rulers invested with authority) and function (i.e. to punish and to praise) of the state and certainly on the Christian's relationship to it (i.e., submission).

Given the strength of the similarities it would seem that Paul and Peter are drawing on a common stock of paraenetic material for their instruction, but the differences appear to rule out any direct literary dependence, i.e., Peter using Romans as a direct source. The origin of this material appears to be found in the LXX and Jesus' teaching in the Synoptic tradition (cf. Mark 13:13-17). Questions concerning the Christians' relationship to the authorities was addressed in the early church (cf. Acts 4, 7, 19:23ff, 25, 26, 28) and ultimately the traditional material we find in Peter and Paul seems to have been molded as catechetical material in the Hellenistic context of the mission to the Gentiles.

Forget what Brother Ken tells you to think. Read and then think on your own and decide for yourself what the scripture says. You need no one to interpret it for you. God gave you a mind to think with….it’s best to use that mind and not let someone spoon feed you’re their ideas.

I truly believe I know what the passage means, but that of course would be only my interpretation and expressed as an opinion.

Gatlin  posted on  2018-03-04   3:27:51 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#16. To: Deckard (#13)

Your interpretation of the Bible is false.
What is the hell are you talking about?
I gave NO interpretation.
I was very careful to post the scripture verbatim from the Bible.
I will post it again here exactly as I first posted it:
Romans 13:1-7 English Standard Version (ESV)
Submission to the Authorities
13 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. …
I sourced it from HERE.
Now, show me exactly where and why anything there is FALSE?
Are you saying the Bible is FALSE?

Gatlin  posted on  2018-03-04   3:47:55 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#17. To: Deckard (#14)

You reposted the scripture exactly as I originally posted it and you said that my interpretation was FALSE. I made NO interpretation. Was the scripture I posted FALSE?

Then you posted your own interpretation, or one that you copied and pasted from the Web. That’s fine with me. As I said before, opinions are like assholes….everyone has one.

But you can’t tell me me interpretation was false when I never gave an interpretation.

I posted ONLY scripture and NO interpretations.

How in the world did you get to be so stupid?

Gatlin  posted on  2018-03-04   3:57:44 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#18. To: Deckard (#13)

Gatlin is a Subverted Nation neo-Nazi.

Hondo68  posted on  2018-03-04   3:58:14 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#19. To: Deckard (#14)

Romans 13: Should Christians Obey The Government Unconditionally?

Paul is telling us we must not resist the righteous power of God - whether it is manifested in the heavenlies or in various earthly sectors - including righteous government.

I’m sorry, I need your help.

I cannot find anywhere in the scripture in you link that Paul says anything about a righteous government.

Can you please point out to me where that word is appears in the scripture?

It’s not there and you KNOW damned well it isn’t there.

STOP MAKING SHIT UP.

Gatlin  posted on  2018-03-04   4:13:27 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#20. To: hondo68 (#18)

You said to me:
You're lying about the Bible.
And that was “despicable.”

Show me where I was lying when all I did was post the scripture exactly as it appears in the Bible without changing one thing.

Show me …

Gatlin  posted on  2018-03-04   4:18:51 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#21. To: Deckard (#12)

Show me where I was lying when all I did was post the scripture exactly as it appears in the Bible without changing one thing.

Show me …

Gatlin  posted on  2018-03-04   4:21:05 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#22. To: Deckard (#12)

What did you expect from Parsons? After all - the State is his god.

You may disagree with Gatlin. That is fine. Question is why do you dishonor yourself by saying he worships the government. We both know that isn't true. Making you a liar. Come on deckard have some honor.

A K A Stone  posted on  2018-03-04   8:09:06 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#23. To: Deckard (#13)

Your post doesn't really prove he bastardized Roman's chapter 13. To prove that you would have to use scripture. Maybe he is incorrect but your post doesn't prove it. Not by a long shot.

A K A Stone  posted on  2018-03-04   8:11:45 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#24. To: Gatlin (#11)

This topic deserves it's own thread. I will do that later.

A K A Stone  posted on  2018-03-04   8:22:42 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#25. To: A K A Stone (#22)

Come on deckard have some honor.

Unfortunately for Dickard, he can't just buy that on a shelf. One must be born with those qualities... and keep honor at the top of his priorities. The unfortunate part is, legal drugs are at the top of his priority list. They outweigh "honor". So this is why, with a big fat smile, Dickard will post yella propaganda to sell his priorities.

In my line of work, once you've been proven dishonorable, you can never come back from the dark side.

I'm the infidel... Allah warned you about. كافر المسلح

GrandIsland  posted on  2018-03-04   11:04:31 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#26. To: A K A Stone (#23)

Maybe he is incorrect but your post doesn't prove it.
Mind you, be careful now.

All I did in the beginning was to simply post the sacred writings of Christianity contained in the English Standard Version of the Bible. I never made any comment to say that I either agreed with the scripture I posted or disagreed with the scripture I posted. I simply posted it verbatim.

I was then attacked by the two of the three “forum pit bulls.” One said I was “lying about the Bible” and the other said my “interpretation of the Bible is false.” In reality, the truth be known, I was neither lying nor misinterpreting ....I only posted scripture verbatim for consideration to be given to it. I never said what I believe the scripture meant and I was never asked.

The fallacy oftentimes, more often than not, is that some posters already know what they are going to say in response to my posts before they even read my posts. They continually overuse the same trite remarks that consequently have little import and lack any originality or freshness. It would be far easier if they just assigned numbers to their personal attack statements. Then when I post something for consideration, their simple response could be: “#13, #5, #6, #1 (and the best one of all) #666.

Continuing on point which was:

Maybe he is incorrect but your post doesn't prove it.
I never set out with the intention to prove Brother Ken to be “incorrect.” I merely posted a study. I never said it would prove Brother Ken wrong and neither did I say I believed the study was correct. I simply said:
To really understand the message in the scripture in Romans 13:1-7, one needs to consider a detailed study and not just grab onto something a “preacher” tells them to think it means. The best place to start is with a comprehensive study is by reading the Paul and Civil Obedience in Romans 13:1-7 comprehensive study.
Of course, there are other places to start, I just happened on that one in my first google. Remember, I emphasize, I specifically said that was “a place to start.” I never said it was a place to end and form a conclusion....and I definitelky never said, or even suggested, it would prove Brother Ken to be wrong.
Your post doesn't really prove he bastardized Roman's chapter 13.
Again: That was never my intent.
To prove that you would have to use scripture.
I have no desire to prove Brother Ken wrong and I could not even attempted to do so. Brother Ken MERELY stated his opinion. You said it made sense and I posted to you:
Forget what Brother Ken tells you to think. Read and then think on your own and decide for yourself what the scripture says. You need no one to interpret it for you. God gave you a mind to think with….it’s best to use that mind and not let someone spoon feed you’re their ideas.
I considered that sage advice. It was never meant to offend you, if it did…I apologize.

Gatlin  posted on  2018-03-04   11:25:41 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#27. To: A K A Stone (#24) (Edited)

This topic deserves it's own thread. I will do that later.
You may of course do that if you like. I do however think it would be a wasted effort especially as far as I am concerned. I have no more to say on the matter, I have already said what I wanted to on this thread. Naturally, I will continue to respond to any future personal attack posts or questions.

Gatlin  posted on  2018-03-04   11:31:08 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#28. To: Gatlin (#26)

You got it backwards. Post 23 was to deckard, not you.

A K A Stone  posted on  2018-03-04   11:31:28 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#29. To: Gatlin (#27)

I haven't watched all the vvideos you posted yet. I did watch a video by one of the guys whose video you posted. In one of his videos he says that God did not create hell. So your source is not right about everything imo.

Anyway this is a good topic. Do we have to obey the government according to Roman's chapter 13?

A K A Stone  posted on  2018-03-04   11:34:22 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#30. To: A K A Stone (#28)

You got it backwards. Post 23 was to deckard, not you.
I’ll just be damned. I went back and looked.

You must excuse me, I am an old man with extremely bad eyesight.

Thanks for putting up with me …

Gatlin  posted on  2018-03-04   11:36:09 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#31. To: Gatlin (#30)

It's ok, my eyes are kind of bad too. I use cheap reading glasses.

A K A Stone  posted on  2018-03-04   11:41:17 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#32. To: A K A Stone (#29)

Do we have to obey the government according to Roman's chapter 13?
With all due respect, I don’t believe that is the right question to ask me.

I think what you really want ot know is my understanding of Chapter 13. I can prepare a “short” [wink-wink] dissertation on that when I have time and get back to you. I promise to do so.

But as a prelude, I will give a teaser and say that I personally believe the intent of Chapter 13 was never to instruct people to become obedient slaves to the government. I find too many people foolishly get raised bristles and defensively believe that was the intent. If you have ever been around a sow with raised bristles, you can truly understand the danger in that.

So sayeth the son born unto an Evangelical preacher-man in an Assembly of God Church.

Gatlin  posted on  2018-03-04   11:54:26 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#33. To: A K A Stone (#29)

I haven't watched all the vvideos you posted yet.
They are really not that important. All they do is counter what Brother Ken has to say. It looks like they have more of a battle going on between the bunch of them….the likes of which threads on LF has never seen.

I only posted them to show both sides, as I always try to do….and not to prove Brother Ken wrong.

Gatlin  posted on  2018-03-04   12:02:25 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#34. To: Gatlin (#20)

Show me …

I posted a video which apparently went over your head with nothing sinking in.

Yes, you quoted from the Bible. You also gave your Satanic interpretation. You worshiped LBJ, Jimmy Carter, both Bush's, Clinton, and Obama because.... Romans 13, you claim.

You're too stupid to understand the Bible. That's giving you the benefit of the doubt.

You probably need an exorcism.

Hondo68  posted on  2018-03-04   12:06:15 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#35. To: hondo68, A K A Stone (#18)

Gatlin is a Subverted Nation neo-Nazi.
AND
Get thee behind me, Satan Gatlin, evil doer!

I use strong language in my posts from time to time in order to stress a point or ask a question and I condone that by everyone.

But to call me a “neo-Nazi” [Post #18] and refer to me as “Satan” [Post #7] are both malicious accusations by you that is way over the top and exceeds any bounds to human decency and civility.

It transcends all the barriers and bridges to effective dialogue and the reason I must place you on bozo quite often. I just tire of reading your incongruous and irrational crap.

Your post stands as a perfect symbol to reflect your troubled mentality and low moral character.

Gatlin  posted on  2018-03-04   12:35:48 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#36. To: Gatlin (#35)

You're right that Hondo is dishonorable and lies a lot of the time.

A K A Stone  posted on  2018-03-04   12:45:42 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#37. To: hondo68 (#34)

I posted a video which apparently went over your head with nothing sinking in.
I understood perfectly well every word that Brother Ken spoke while expressing his own personal interpretation of Chapter 13.

If by not “sinking in” you mean that I did not agree with him....then you are absolutely correct.

Yes, you quoted from the Bible.
That is all that I did....ALL.
You also gave your Satanic interpretation.
I asked you once before to “show me” where.

I now ask you again to “show me” where....and add PLEASE to the request.

You worshiped LBJ, Jimmy Carter, both Bush's, Clinton, and Obama because.... Romans 13, you claim.
That is a maliciously false accusation and has absolutely no correlation with your associated reference to “Romans 13, you claim.”

You are making no sense.

You're too stupid to understand the Bible.
Sonny Boy, the son of an Evangelical preacher-man in an Assembly of God Church may be called “stupid” but it can never be said that he doesn’t “understand the Bible.”

“That's giving you the benefit of the truth.”

Gatlin  posted on  2018-03-04   12:59:45 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#38. To: Gatlin, those that are, are ordained of God, A K A Stone (#6) (Edited)

Romans 13:1-14 (English Standard Version) - Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.

ESV is a bad translation, crappy new wave spin of the Bible. Even the KJV is somewhat better in not saying "governing authorities" but adding some light spin. "Higher Powers" is NOT necessarily Jeff Sessions, or even President Trump. "ordained of God"? That's the question.


KJV - less spin, but it was approved by the King of England.

Romans 13 King James Version (KJV)

13 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.


Romans 13 Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition (DRA)

13 Let every soul be subject to higher powers: for there is no power but from God: and those that are, are ordained of God.

Hondo68  posted on  2018-03-04   13:05:18 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#39. To: hondo68 (#38)

https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=4300

A K A Stone  posted on  2018-03-04   13:21:09 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#40. To: hondo68 (#38)

... approved by the King of England.
Excuse me, but please explain to me why should I give a fuck that the “King of England” approved anything?

Gatlin  posted on  2018-03-04   13:28:06 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  



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