Practical application of Pentecostal theology in politics, economy and social issues
What do you think, theologically, about the new tax proposal that gives hugh tax breaks to the very rich and will very likely put more burden in one way or the other on the working class?
Isaiah 65:1a
נִדְרַ֙שְׁתִּי֙ לְל֣וֹא שָׁאָ֔לוּ
I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for me;נִמְצֵ֖אתִי לְלֹ֣א בִקְשֻׁ֑נִי
I was ready to be found by those who did not seek me. (ESV)
The ESV (also NRSV, NET, NASB; contrast NIV, HCSB) take these two verbs – “ready to be sought … ready to be found” – as tolerative nifals, I gather.
Joüon-Muraoka (a Hebrew grammar) says of the tolerative nifal נדרש:
generally with a notion of effective action….to allow oneself to be asked, and that effectively, hence practically = to answer (speaking of God)
Walkte & O’Connor (another Hebrew grammar) follow this idea, offering the translation:
I answered (< allowed myself to be sought by) those who did not ask (for me);
I revealed myself to (< allowed myself to be found by) those who did not seek me.
This “efficacy” nuance is different from the “ready to…” translation of the ESV etc.
How should we decide in what way to understand the nifal here? Is this verse intended to convey something already accomplished (revealed, answered) or merely offerred?
1. The other uses of the potentially “tolerative” nifal דרש (with subject = Yahweh) are in Ezekiel; mostly these could also be taken either way.
2. The LXX seems to carry a similar sense of “effective”: Εμφανὴς ἐγενόμην τοῖς ἐμὲ μὴ ζητοῦσιν, εὑρέθην τοῖς ἐμὲ μὴ ἐπερωτῶσιν· = I became visible to those who did not seek me; I was found by those who did not inquire after me. This may have more to do with reading them as passives (“was found” + reconciliation of “did not ask” with “was sought” –> “became visible”) rather than a reflection of the translator having read Jouon, but you never know.
Varnel Watson
Proposed a discussion on TAX laws to Stan Wayne when the tax bill was still news, not in legislation yet. Now that’s a official legislation HOW does it change the initial view on Trump and taxes? Does he have to show his before he changes ours? http://www.pentecostaltheology.com/trump-taxes-and-theology/
Jim Price
No law says that the president has to reveal his taxes but since he likes to brag about his wealth you have to wonder if there isn’t something in the wood pile. Many of his debtors might be shocked at little his true wealth is and many who he has bankrupted on would be mad if he truly is worth 10 billion or so. A lot of different people might well see his return in a different way.
Paul Jones
The wealthy like making money. If their tax rate is such that it PAYS them to invest, they will. If not, they’ll sit on it. Reduce the tax rate and let them put people to work. It was effective for Kennedy. It was effective for Reagan.
Varnel Watson
Jim Price Law or morality? The people are entitled to know if their president is keeping the Constitution. True or false?
Varnel Watson
BY ACCEPTING FEDERAL AID, RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS MAY SUBJECT THEMSELVES TO STATE LAW MANDATES.
Under some state laws, acceptance of government aid – even federal aid – triggers new legal obligations and restrictions. For example, the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA) generally prohibits employers from discriminating on the basis of religion, sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity. CADA expressly exempts “any religious organization” from these requirements. But the exemption is lost if the organization “is supported in whole or in part by money raised by taxation or public borrowing.” C.R.S. § 24-34-402(7).
Even without this exemption, CADA still permits religious organizations to select employees based upon religious preference. But as with Title VII, this may not permit an employer to discriminate based on other protected classes, such as sexual orientation and gender identity.
Most Colorado churches and ministries aren’t subject to CADA because they’re not supported by government aid. But accepting PPP or EIDL loans could change that and cause an organization to lose at least some of its religious exemption.
BE CAREFUL
Many religious organizations find themselves in dire straits as a result of this crisis. And each will have to balance the economic threat to their operations with the legal risks that come with accepting the government’s help. Every church and ministry will have decide for itself how to strike that balance. But each should go into it with eyes wide open, mindful of the potential costs to their mission and values. As always, you should consult with an attorney regarding your specific situation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NhKH91nvJg&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR3_Hqh8KmCrHvi8KJBTO8aKaPJ0ifa76Zurzmqi5o5WGPCUjFk2q3jOOIs
Chris Baudean
When we sign up as a 501-3 C we state that the government is the sole authority over our church what you do after that is inconsequential
Varnel Watson
where doe it say it means that?
Chris Baudean
Troy Day look up incorporations of a 501 C3 in your local government incorporation documents to incorporate a church.