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Great interview subject.
I'd also be willing to bet that he voted Republican during that year....;)
Mr. Jacobs has a truly tolerant wife!
Great experiment.
;))
Ya gotta read god is not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything by Christopher Hitchens - an Excellent Read thank Heavens that The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins have been atop the BestSeller Lists along with the Brilliant 4 Hour WorkWeek by I fergot the Author's name!!
;))
I can only imagine how others reacted towards him.
Andrew
He took the laws in the Old Testament very legalistically (following the laws because I said so). If he included the New Testament, then he would understand the intent. Jesus didn't stone the woman, but forgave her. I bet there are more points like this.
Good concept, just mistitled.
Sam
I prefer Bob Dylan's rule for this one. Why single out adulterers?
The "tithe" means tenth, specifically the first and best tenth that is earmarked for serving God by financing the temple, and is meant to remind people of the original source of any wealth they receive (J.D. Rockefeller tithed, and regularly told critics "God gave me my wealth").
There is a subsequent rule in the bible that earmarks the next two or three tenths of one's income for charity - so if you're looking for a divine rule to help you out, this is the one!
Anne
That makes two books that I have bought that have, coincidentally, been featured on this blog.
Outstanding post! Hallelujah for the First Amendment of our US Constitution! As a former Catholic, Venezuelan-born and raised, who became a US Citizen 20 years later (after marrying--and divorcing--a Protestant Evangelical British-Canadian Pastor),I loves Jesus, but no longer espouse to the traditional Christian Culture.
I am truly thankful for not only the opportunity to read books like AJs, but also for having a medium (such as this blog) to express my opinion without fear of government/religious prosecution/persecution.
Cafeteria Religion is exactly what this country is based on, and we are the great nation we are for it! If you don't agree, take a drive around Any Town, USA, and count the different denominations of Christian and non-Christian gathering places you come across.
I would venture to say that Cafeteria Lifestyle Design is what our Founding Fathers had in mind when this great nation was formed! I'm looking forward to reading the book. Thanks again Tim!
-Carolena
"I learned that you cannot follow the entire Bible. It’s impossible. You must pick and choose. Everyone does it, whether they admit it or not. Otherwise, we’d end up stoning adulterers on the street."
I am surprised that such a well-educated group of readers (Christian or not) would not choose to comment on statements in this interview. Christians would readily admit that they do not follow Old Testament temple rituals or regularly depend on a priest to atone for the sins of the people. Someone that chose to read a Bible, live by it and publish an entire book on it should know the unique purpose of the Old Testament Law and the New Testament.
Sorry I won't be contributing to your school in Nepal, Tim, but I'm giving away my yet-to-be-inherited-inheritance, at 50K per year, to the National Center For Animal Law (http://www.lclark.edu/org/ncal).
It's something I truly believe in, and for those of you who value nature, the environment, and animals for their own sake, and consider them as sacred and worthy of protection in their own right, it's a great place to contribute. Hope that's not overstepping bounds, Tim, but the world has many needs, and the future of the planet and it's creatures is one of them.
#1 - As an agnostic it is impossible for Jacobs to have followed the first and most important commandment: "Love the Lord your God with all of your heart soul and mind."
#2 - He ignores the New Testament, where Jesus clearly signifies that he fulfills the Old Testament law and Jesus nullifies many of the rules that Jacob follows.
#3 - Even when following the Old Testament, there is a clear understanding that the rules are not as important as the motivation and heart behind them.
Micah 6:6-8
"With what shall I come before the LORD
and bow down before the exalted God?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
7 Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams,
with ten thousand rivers of oil?
Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
8 He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God."
Danny
One of the first things that struck me was the fact that Jacobs is of Jewish heritage. By the Jewish definition, "The Bible" indeed comprises only the Pentateuch (the first five books).
It would have been nice if he had stated this distinction. If looked in that light alone, then, yes, you can't do both. The old law demanded death for adulterers and rebellious children. Christ said that those carrying hatred in one's heart was guilty of murder - which part is true?
By the time of Christ, those who rigidly followed the Old Law (the religious leaders of the day) were basically like modern-day mutaween (morality police). Christ taught that he came to fulfill the Law - that following a series of rules was insufficient to make one righteous. Only by a transformation from within could one have a true relationship with God. This "New Law" - the law of the heart - superseded and fulfilled the Old.
This, of course, supremely pissed off the religious establishment.
Now, I don't want to disparage Jacobs' experiment - I applaud it. It's given me a lot to think about.
Another interesting thread I see here in the comments is that there is a difference between faith and religion. I like what the book of James says about this:
Hard to argue with that, no? =)
Love to hear more thoughts on this topic.
Tim here. I am in Tokyo and have to hit bed before a big day tomorrow, but I wanted to mention that AJ does actually tackle the New Testament as well. He makes no claims to be the world's foremost expert in the bible, but does do his homework, and his religious advisors (rabbis, priests, etc.) are 1st-class.
A good thought-provoker, regardless of where you are on the spectrum.
O-yasumi!
Tim
Burn many?
"Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people." Exodus 22:28
How did you ever manage to keep your mouth shut for the last year?
One thing, though: in the New Testament (see 2 Corinthians, Galatians, etc.), the Apostle Paul clearly shows that the old Law (Old Testament) no longer applies because of Christ's sacrifice. Although, Paul, a trained Rabbi, does say the Law is useful for instruction. A vivid illustration of the change would be Jesus' confrontation of the Jews who wanted to stone a prostitute. "Let he who has no sin cast the first stone."
God bless y'all.
Matt from Texas
That being said, though, the Rabbis also have come up with an important caveat to things such as stoning adulterers, such as "the law of the land is the law," meaning the laws of the society where we live are to be followed as long as they don't require you to deny God directly or make public displays of sinning (violating Torah) to shame yourself or God. So there is no need to go around "stoning" adulterers - their wives take care of that today, in their own way. I think Lorena Bobbit had the right idea, myself.
And finally, as someone whose family also observes the written Torah, I congratulate you on your accomplishment. One thing you might want to consider for your journey forward from this point is that Americans, especially, are far too hung up on "feelings" and expect to have some sort of warm fuzzy or ecstatic experience to "prove" to them that God exists. People need to get over that. Serving God is a decision, a commitment - not a "feeling." Just like you don't always feel like putting up with what your spouse is doing, but you still love them (even when you'd really like to strangle them) - a Torah observant lifestyle is a decision and a commitment that has little or nothing to do with "feelings" about God.
You don't have to "feel" God's presence to do it, or to acknowledge that maybe His ideas about society and personal life are pretty good after all. If adultery and greed were removed from American society, it would hardly make things worse, now would it? If everyone gave to the poor, dressed modestly, and stopped gossiping, our society would be the envy of the world - as it once was - instead of the despised and reviled virus spreading immorality and degredation that we are.
Shalom!
Regrettably, your understanding of the teachings of Jesus of Natzareth is entirely flawed - which is why the church is rejected by Jews to this day. Jesus taught that heaven and earth would cease to exist before the laws of the Torah are set aside. He specifically told his followers that "not all who say to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of the heavens - only those who do the will of my Father in heaven." God's will is spelled out in the Torah. Jesus also said "I will say to them in that day, Away from me, all you who practice Torahlessness." That is what the Greek work "anomia" means in Hebrew - without Torah. Your English Bible probably says "iniquity" or "wickedness" or some other false translation, but that only proves that the Roman church that put together the new testament had it's own supply of self-serving misdirections.
All of the original followers of Jesus were Jews or Jewish prosthelytes. The early church met in the Temple daily - where no uncircumcised person could go (and yes, they did check. Everyone entering the Temple grounds had to be immersed in the mikveh, naked). The people who testified that Paul was teaching against the Law are called "False Witnesses" in Acts - and a false witness by definition is someone who is not telling the truth.
If Jesus is "God incarnate" as christians believe, then it is Jesus who came down on Mt. Sinai and gave the Torah to Moses, saying it is "eternal," and "perpetual" and "for all your generations," and "everywhere you live." If Jesus is "God incarnate," then it is Jesus who said to Moses that anyone who tries to teach people to disobey Torah is a false prophet and should be executed. If Jesus is "God incarnate" as christians believe, then it is Jesus who spoke and said, "There is one law for the native born and for the stranger" and who said to Isaiah, "If the stranger observes my sabbath and obeys my covenant, then he can be part of Israel." If Jesus is "God incarnate," then it is Jesus who said to Jeremiah, "I will make a new covenant in those days...and this is the covenant I will make: I will write my Torah on their hearts and in their minds, that they may do it." Paul even quotes this to his students to teach them the "new covenant."
The roman church, however, persecuted and executed the Torah observant earliest believing synagogues, and replaced Torah observance with lawlessness and God's festivals with pagan festivals. The church has taught you a lie, purposefully mistranslated various passages, even wrote "pauline" espistles pseudographically and passed them off as real. And it doesn't take a lot of effort to uncover the false teachings, either.
What Jesus was really teaching was "repentance," by which he meant turning from sin (that is, turning away from violating Torah) and rejecting the takanot and ma'asim (traditions and precedents) that the Rabbis added to the written Torah. Basically, Jesus was an early Karaite - the "sola scriptura" branch of Judaism - and never intended to start a new religion. His intent was to correct Judaism.
Even the apostles say that:
Grace is not license for sin. (Romans 6)
Sin is the transgression of the Torah (Law) (I John 3)
Ergo, Grace is not license for transgressing the Torah.
Then again, so do a lot of purported Christians, especially self-proclaimed "leaders", who seize on various rules from Leviticus to justify their intolerance. One has to wonder if they've ever read the Gospels at all.
Many who approach the Bible are looking to prove or disprove evidences - "proof" of things like the great flood, the plagues of Egypt, and so on (C.S. Lewis comes to mind).
AJ's approach is one of the experience: what does it feel like to try to follow these writings? It strikes me, writing this, that the Bible is a progression in itself, from outward rules & regulations to inward transformation.
I've enjoyed the interview, there's a lot to think about. One more thing, then I'll shut up: one book that transformed my life - and touches on many areas brought up by 4HWW & this thread - is Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster. It's a rich, readable exploration of the inward and outward spiritual disciplines, many of which are forgotten today. The chapter on Simplicity alone is worth picking it up. Check it out, I'm still re-reading it 10 years later.
1.) Let there be light (Genesis)
2.) Do to others what you would have them do to you (Matthew)
3.) Think different (Jobs)
1.) Let there be light (Genesis)
2.) Do to others what you would have them do to you (Matthew)
3.) Think different (Jobs)
the fallacies within this "experiment". A.J. did not live by the laws of the Bible. He selected some laws which would make interesting fiction and chose to live them. May I suggest that he pick one law from the Bible and try to live it completely for a year? O.K. We all can usually obey the Thou shalt not Kill laws. Let's try "Love thy neighbor as thyself." or better yet, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." My guess is that he would fail miserably and realize the futility of trying to live the standard and gain an understanding of the true meaning of "Grace".
Is the book published in Spain? If not, when is it going to be?
Hugs.
This is very similar to a doctrine I have used in coaching software development, namely that it is much easier to act your way into thinking differently than it is to think your way into acting differently.
I love what you are doing in Vietnam and Nepal with your 'Room to Read' charity.
I was wondering if you could set one up and build one up in Myanmar (Burma)? Especially with the struggle they are having at this current time with their protesting and fight for freedom. They are one of the poorest countries in the world and their kids need all the help they can get. Watching the footage off various websites brings a tear to the eye, that the Burmese people dont have the basic elements that we have in which to live.
If you can set one up then I can assist you in promoting it and making it happen.
Kindest Regards,
Desmond.
Pray the Psalms for Jerusalem.
She is ailing.
Two things:
1. How do you drink your Yerba Mate? Do you use an actual mate, or is there some other way? What would you recommend?
2. You mentioned the extreme weightloss in your book, and I was wondering if you would share your method.
Thanks,
Dan M.
I have not been able to be perfect in it. I can only think of 3 times that I have lied to her in a year and a half and those were to keep things smooth by not saying I hated a dress that I doubted I would see often.
The sooner you start the little white lies the sooner it is too late to clear the board. My ex and I, as I imagine it is with many finished couples, have a better relationship now than at the end. We are much more honest and it feels so good.
Like everything else, you have to find your personal line but since I started this relationship I am much more honest with people and it has cost something. But covering the lies cost me more
I personally have given up tv news and the newspaper (except for reading about our team and our next opponents), and it is great. I try not to gossip too much and a big thing for me has been giving up complaining. I see some similarities in the experiment and let me tell you my life is much easier to live, I have a lot less worries, and there is a definate weight lifted off my shoulders. I think everyone should try it and the world will be a better place.
As he has shown us in T4HWW ... Tim has done a great job of stirring up our personal value systems ... what things are important to each one of us. Religion is obviously a big part of our core values ... at least for many of us.
Tim has shown me that ... it is healthy to question ... everything.
you are creating schools in Vietnam, Nepal, etc..
What about NorthEast tropical Argentina: CHACO
were Toba indians are starving !! to death !!
They would need some of that help too....
Please contact me for more details.
Many thanks, much congratulations, best regards !! Marcelo
You can't just read the Bible and think you understand what it means to follow in God's ways. It doesn't work like that. There are many people who've read the Bible and don't truly understand the first thing about following Christ. You can't just approach this like some sort of a pseudo-scientist. If you don't accept Christ as your Lord and Savior, and do so sincerely, then the Holy Spirit will not work or move in your life like you need Him to, and He will not open your eyes to see, or your ears to hear God clearly, or your mind to fully understand. That's the way God works.
You can't truly understand the ways of God and the mysteries of God and get to know Him and enter into a relationship with Him (which is the whole point behind devoting your life to Him), and receive all He has to give, if you treat Him, His ways, and His Word as mere experiments. You would never approach a King and tell him, "Well, in my heart, I'm not truly devoted to you or interested in you, but I'll read some of your rules, try to interpret them on my own, and give them a shot to see what happens." No one would ever approach a King in an irreverent manner like that and think the King would reveal his wisdom, the mysteries of his kingdom, and show favor, yet people think they can receive those things when they approach God in that way... God - the Creator of the universe and all things (including every earthly king).
So many people (even some people who consider themselves Christians), don't understand that following Christ is not about religion. It's about relationship. Oh sure, every relationship has rules - what relationship or activity in life doesn't? But it's not JUST about following rules - you don't need a living, breathing person or entity to merely follow some rules. So the fact (or idea, if you prefer) that God is living, suggests that the time we devote to understanding His ways and who He is, is about more than just rules. It's about relationship. The secular world refers to faith as "religion". But faith is more than rules and religion. It's about a dynamic, living, evolving relationship with a living God. With THE living God.
Just as any relationship you'd have with a friend, or family member, or romantic partner is about more than just rules - it's SO much more than that, so is a relationship with God. Yet so many people don't understand that. Even many people who go to church.
Although rules are really just about boundaries, instructions, and accountability, all of which play a role and are necessary and serve a purpose, the problem with religion is that it devotes too much focus on this, and can suck the life out of what following Christ is all about. Suddenly, people idolize and worship only the rules, and forget all about God (or put Him in the background of their minds), and as a result, they either forget or simply don't see the whole purpose in what following Christ is all about. Then they become legalistic. And God is not about that. He's about accountability for sure, but He's also about relationship, and love, and wisdom, and forgiveness, and mercy, and grace.
We all have things to learn about God - we'll all spend the rest of our lives learning to whatever degree, but some people just don't understand a thing.
Hi,
Just wanted to let you know I heard about your book (4HWW), was interested, so looked at getting the audio book. Audible had it, so I signed up, paid my fee, then searched for it and could not find it! After trying various things for 30minutes, I found that google could still see it, but that clicking on the link sent me to the audible page saying it was not available in my geographic location. So in summary, Audible won't list unavailable books in my searches (whereas it should list them as unavailable).
After wasting some more time on this, it appears to be because the publisher only had rights to a limited area of the world. This is why I am telling you, as I see you as being ultimately responsible for this.
The upshot is that I can't give you money for something I really want. Seems crazy in an internet connected world, especially as the topic of the book seems to be about selling online and making money - you can't make money from me, even if I want you to! No wonder people resort to file sharing ;-(
Regards,
Eric
###
Hi Eric,
So sorry about that! I've spoken with the publisher about this, and it seems to be a complicated rights issue. I'm still trying to fix it, but you many want to consider downloading (if you can -- sorry if you can't!) the e-book at www.powells.com
Thanks for your understanding... I'm doing what I can to speed the process!
Tim
I was thinking about Tim's call to leading exceptional lives and how he encourages people to eliminate unnecessary and unproductive activities.
I came to an interesting conclusion: Many of the things that we do in the name of hobbies impede us from living full lives. I think we can all agree here. As a book collecting, comic reading, science fiction fan, I'm wasting more of my time under the name of hobbies reading about fictional lives than I am spending on living my own life. Instead of involving myself in life changing activities, I'm trading small chunks of my life for meaningless vicarious enjoyment that can leave hours and days wasted. How much of our time and money do we waste with TV, books, movies, sports, and video games thinking we "owe" this relaxation to ourselves, when we're actually robbing ourselves of a potentially radical life?
(Here's the bible beater part, so be warned.) My second conclusion: Many things that the Bible defines as sin impede us from living full lives. How many days and years of our lives are wasted on gossiping, gambling, drunkenness, pornography, adultery, gluttony, and greed?
And, No, before anybody says it, I'm not comparing hobbies to sin. It's just sad how we can let hobbies run our lives.
I just find it interesting that the activities that the bible calls sin is not necessarily God trying to remove enjoyment from our lives, but to actually open the door to richer, fuller lives.
What amazing things could we do and experience if we made better use of the time and money that we spent on hobbies and sin.
Bill
I enjoyed AJ's article, as I am a devout Mormon and live a biblical life all the time (and no, I don't wear a little white hat, those are Amish, but thanks for asking; I do, however have 8 children and 8 granchildren, but only 1 husband:-). Since I'm honest with everyone I really hate being scammed, and in researching other programs on the net to get more information about web marketing I keep being attacked by sites that will make me a millionaire overnight for only $49 to sell lots of stuff that is never disclosed; I'm not stupid enough to fall for any of that, but I don't know anything about internet sales, except how to purchase stuff, which I think I may be way too good at. I did come across a Perry Marshall program to learn about Google Adwords that I wonder about. Do you need something like that to avoid spending a mint on research? Would it be helpful? I have several good product ideas, but am a little nervous about the Adword experience. What do you think? You didn't say anything like that was needed in the book, but it sounds like it could be pretty tricky.
I'd love your opinion and look forward to making some big life changes with your strategies! However, I can't add anymore stress to my life right now, so your advice would be greatly appreciated! Cheryl
Tim, as a non-traditional homeschooling mom and bigtime advocate for freedom in learning whose oldest daughter is currently hanging out at one of those loosey goosey liberal arts schools after living it up in the Great White North studying realist art for the past two years (they're bringing the program to the US now!) -- I wouldn't push our so-called concept of education on any poor third-world child :P
The failure of our public school systems is what first inspired the CO-OP, but the success of our unschooling odyssey is what kept it energized. Learning in freedom is where it's at! Give 'em the tools, but let them develop their talent in their own way, at their own pace, with the world as their school without walls. I have a dream and it's spelled out in living color on the CO-OP site (see link above.)
Together we are sweeping the educational world off its feet!
The time for thinkers has come. ~ Mary Baker Eddy
Love ya', man ~ Penne
Founder/Facilitator, The Secret CO-OP & SGR Virtual U
P.S. Still got your name on my dance card for that Tango in BsAs!
Why didn't he just do that in the first place? Why let so many people die for having a bit on the side?
God is omniscient right? So why didn't he just send Jesus down earlier when, right from the start, he KNEW that he would need to?
The more you look at it, the less sense the bible makes. The bible is sifted through the mesh of human morals, not the other way around.
Like the 4 Hour Work Week, for example. :D
Is it better to be upfront with prospective employers that I desire to telecommute? Or, should I wait until I have a job offer? Or, should I wait until I work at a new place a few months before broaching the subject?
Does anyone have an opinion on this?
Very well done - one of the best books on time management! While you do specifically mention humanity's overconsumption of the earth's resources and resulting pain we will face, promoting a lifestyle of cheap and excessive travel is not exactly a reponsible position. Certainly, this sells books, but not sure how this fits in with your "use your extra free time to help others."
Not to lecture, but when you get a chance, take a look at Chevron, Exxon, Woodside, and other energy majors, and I think you'll be shocked at the decline in production (despite $70-90 oil). Aside from excessive demand of developing economies, we need to deal with the environmental impacts. The days of cheap travel are (and should have been long ago) over.
This is not to discredit the rest of your book which was exceptional, but something to consider in this age of increased usage of fossil fuels.
Best,
Ron
Dude, it's October 23rd... those of us still working for the man need a little inspiration at least once a week!
E :)
Thanks!
Erin
I noticed that as well, I could see the pictures when the post was first put up, but could not see the pictures last week when I checked back in.
E
YOU ROCK!
I don't usually say "You Rock!" to anybody but seriously, your book is the [expletive deleted] gateway out of the "daily grind" madness. It's origins were first exposed by the education editor of the NY TIMES who won Teacher of the YEAR award on both the state and national levels. See "The Makers of Modern Schooling"...
...and with the curtain being pulled away, your book shows the actual ways OUT of the big lie.
Seriously, I have NEVER read a better book on the subject of personal fulfillment and financial freedom and I have read a LOT!
THANK YOU FOR DARING TO EXPRESS YOUR UNIQUENESS.
Sam Freedom
I'm taking this directly from Jesus and from the Bible. This is obviously my interpretation. But any Christian worth his or her salt isn't going to dispute what Jesus says...especially since our entire faith rests with Him.
Matthew 22:36-41: 36-"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37-Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38-This is the first and greatest commandment. 39-And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40-All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
The Son of God himself takes the 10 Commandments down to TWO. I wish more of my fellow believers thought this way. Everything hangs on those TWO. From Jesus' lips to our eyes.
That's where grace and mercy come in. God knew we were a flawed and imperfect people and that even as Christians (followers of Christ) we'd need something more to cover us. That's why Jesus was sent to die for us and take care of all that.
So all the rules and rituals that the guy experimenting here followed were really an experiment in living under the Old Testament law, not necessarily living strictly by the Bible.
Cool study though. Lot of discipline required to complete this one.
I stumbled upon your site today and was quite impressed. I really liked the design. Did you make it yourself?
I wanted to let you know about ReadPrint.com -- a massive non-profit library similar to Bartleby -- except its far better organized and user friendly. We've been using it extensively in school nowadays -- it's great for doing research since you can search within the books.
As for following the Bible literally; read Proverbs 16:22.
Even the Bible tells you not to take it all so literally, that it is only the beginning of wisdom. I think that's where it becomes difficult for people who want someone or something to give them answers that they need to find for themselves. True Evil is any action taken based upon Blind faith, whether that blind faith is in gods, government, or gurus....
Jenn
Thanks for the great contributions to the conversation, everyone!
Jenn, all people registered for the tele-seminar will be receiving full details via e-mail within the next 48 hours, so no later than Thursday at 5pm PST. It will be fun and very fun and dense on actionable tips.
All the best,
Tim
I have included a link here to a short video from Pastor Rick Warren (author of The Purpose Driven Life). It's a really simple, real world explanation of what it means to be a follower of Jesus. I hope you will take a moment to view it. Call me after you do. I would like to pray with you.
http://videos.purposedriven.com:8080/Exp_Salvat...
Yours in Christ,
Boe
We get ourselves in trouble when we try and read and live all of the Bible literally. The Bible must be read as the different types of literature it is: historical narrative, poetry, legal contracts, parables, stories, letters, sermons, apocalyptic literature, etc. Sometimes we lose the eternal truth and principles the Bible teaches in our zeal to live the Bible literally.
I am going to be running a special deal for design clients and will be donating 25% of all sales to your NEPAL school building fundraiser. What a great opportunity to give back and build up a great generation with a large amount of knowledge.
###
Thank you so much! That is most generous of you, and many children will have you to thank for better futures. Rock on :)
Tim
Did he also banish (or, by some translations, execute) his wife, family and friends from his life and town if they ate meat from which the blood had not been properly drained? (Leviticus 7:26...)
Great idea though.
http://thebricktestament.com/index.html
First off, Mr. Jacobs is Jewish. If he wants to simply follow an english translation, that's fine, but that is not the bible as it was given to Moses. It is a poor translation from the Greek which by definition excludes all of the oral law that is constantly alluded to in what we know as the old testament today.
For example, in Hebrew, the first verse of the old testament literally translates to: "In the beginning of, G-d created the heavens and the earth." The first word, "Bereshis", is in the construct form and literally means "In the beginning of". So either there is some deeper meaning being clued to here or G-d had poor grammar.
And if you tell me that heavens and the earth were the first thing created, why did G-d wait to create the earth until the third day? This is one of thousands of examples that the oral tradition explains and greatly impacts the law how to "follow the bible" (Torah).
Any self respecting Christian would do well to understand the Torah in Hebrew, and if they were intellectually honest, would probably end up converting to Judaism upon actually learning the depths of what they read and perhaps unknowingly foolishly take literally.
As for Mr. Jacobs' literal interpretation, much of what is said in the old testament today no longer applies to Torah observant Jews as there is no Temple, nor a Sanhedrin to mete out many of the corporal punishments, like "stoning adulterers". To follow such things literally is the epitome of foolishness and ignorance of his heritage.
If he truly wants to follow the bible, otherwise known as the Torah literally, it is impossible to do so since he does not know or accept the fact that Torah observant Jews believe that there is an oral law that has been passed down since Moses and argued and come to a uniform conclusion among "Orthodox" Jews.
I wonder what it would have been like had Mr. Jacobs followed the actual Torah observant law for a year.
Observing and setting aside Shabbos (the sabbath) is a good first step, but to follow the Torah as Jews have done for thousands of years requires much more than a poor english translation which eliminates many of the exgetical interpretations made by the Sages dealing with the tradition that was given to Moses at Sinai.
For more information on the Oral law or anything related to true Torah-based Judaism, follow this link:
http://www.aish.com/shavuotsinai/shavuotsinaide...
18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Did he follow this rule? If so, I must have not been home when he knocked on my door.
Greenpeace is my charity of choice. I set up an auto-deposit with them. It's a fantastic feeling - every time I hear about an action on the news, I get to feel like I've contributed. Not quite a trip to Nepal, but nice nonetheless. (And yes, it is about people, not tree-hugging: the poorest people of the world are going to suffer most from Global Warming.)
The lengths some will go to ridicule what is Good! The Mosaic law was for a barbaric people in a barbaric age with barbaric mentalities and enemies. This idiot didn't mention that it protected the Israelites from diseases, and contributed to a happy life and community- DID he?
Only Fools are Free.... (From common sense, from virtue, from their Maker)
Mike
Furthermore, Jesus himself famously set some 'new rules' about the practice which weren't, I guess, as much fun for AJ to follow. AJ was only interested in part of the Bible, which is fine, but he should have more properly introduced himself as someone following the practices of Orthodox Judaism, not the Bible. That would not have sold so widely, of course, but that very deception was itself a lie.
All things considered, it's hard to feel terribly excited by this 'experiment'. In point of fact, it's an insult to anyone who has honestly tried to follow God for most of their lives. (Not that such a person would be outraged, so much as saddened, by this farce.)
This is a cop-out. Anybody (Christian, Orthodox Jew, Conservative Jew, Jehovah's Witness etc.) who believes that the Bible is the word of God has no choice but to follow everything.
My (universal) experience of Christians and Jews is that they pick and choose. Find me a "believer" who refuses to wear polyester and cotton shirts (see my post above), or who agrees that a woman who is raped in the city but who doesn't cry out should be stoned to death (Deuteronomy 22:24).
Otherwise, great work as always! Very inspiring.
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Ug -- this is killing me! Thank you for the URL. This annoying typo is from copying and pasting from Word, the invention of the ages. Mensch!
I'll get it fixed eventually :)
Tim
I figure that charity fits the biblical topic.
I'd like to give away the copy of 4 Hour Workweek that I won in the recent eLance Virtual Assistant contest.
I already have one very dog-eared copy, I'd like to give my new one away in a manner that might make a difference in someone else's life. Let me know if you could use another prize for your charitable endeavors. If not, I'll just leave it somewhere random and trust Providence to get it to someone who really needs it.
Nancy Ulrich
(the sock puppet lady)
http://www.elance.com/p/promo/win-virtual-assis...
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Hi Nancy,
That is awesome of you. Please check your e-mail.
All the best,
Tim
"You know, that verse about not rounding the corners of your hair or cutting your beard? I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I did a linguistic analysis last semester of that passage and it doesn’t say that. It actually says something like “don’t make pilgrimages to the tombs of famous dead people, but don’t neglect the [nearby] graves of your elders.”
As a rather Hebrew literate person, I determine that you're either exceptionally sick, or what you wrote was a megalomanic attempt at humor.