The Abomination of Usury and Interest, and the Slavery of Debt

[christiang]

This study goes over why it is a sin to be in debt, to lend at interest, and to engage in various forms of usury that are common in American culture.

[OneLight]

Is this your work in the links?

I have found it wise to never "lend" anything you cannot do without.  In other words, I don't expect to be paid back.

Luke 6:35-36

But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.

[simplejeff]

... abandon ship ....

[christiang]

9 minutes ago, Yowm said:

I see. The injunctions in Exodus, Deuteronomy, Leviticus etc. are to the nation of Israel and not to the Church, they are also of a different (nationalistic) nature than the ones cited in the New Testament.

How can you say that the laws in these books to not apply to the church? Tell me, does "do not commit adultery" not apply to you? Did Paul not say adulterers will not inherit in the kingdom of God? Did it not occur to you that it was this command he was referencing when he said that?

[christiang]

32 minutes ago, OneLight said:

Is this your work in the links?

I have found it wise to never "lend" anything you cannot do without.  In other words, I don't expect to be paid back.

Luke 6:35-36

But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.

I am indeed the author. 

[christiang]

Just now, Yowm said:

I'm not talking about the moral law of God which is reiterated in the New Testament but rather the societal laws of Israel. The Church is not Israel.

There is no distinction between "societal" laws and "moral" law. Every command, even the least, must be obeyed, 

Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:19 [NIV])

[simplejeff]

.....  abandon ship ....(edit/ delete)

[OneLight]

2 minutes ago, christiang said:

There is no distinction between "societal" laws and "moral" law. Every command, even the least, must be obeyed, 

Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:19 [NIV])

Sounds like pure legalism to me.

[christiang]

Just now, OneLight said:

Sounds like pure legalism to me.

Obedience to to the commands of God is not legalism. Observance of commands that are identified as shadow laws is,

Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. (Colossians 2:16-17 [NIV])

Which includes the circumcision of the flesh. You guys completely discard the entire law on the basis that shadow law is no longer observed by those in the assemblies of Jesus Christ, and that is a fatal mistake.

[ricky]

I'm struggling to see any grace in your view