He Kept Company with Tax Collectors and Sinners

Tom, you write:

"He keeps company with tax collectors and sinners," said the Pharisees about Jesus.

I doubt that very much, and I'm not alone. The Pharisees were far to busy developing rabbinic Judaism to notice yet another of the 100 or so prophets emerging from the woodwork in their besieged country. This, btw., assumes Yehoshua existed, highly doubtful now that Josephus has been all but tossed.

Still, to be generous, let me concede that if said Yehoshua did walk on the earth, if not on water, a Sadducee or two might have spoken to him--I mean anything is possible. But, this too, is doubtful, since they were busy being wealthy.

Unfortunately, the Sadducees left no written records, leaving us with well, stories....

"He influenced the sinners. In truth, he hung around sinners that repented."

Actually, the way I read it is, he hung around people *Pharisees* were the only ones calling 'sinners' in the first place. Yer man there Jesus, he's supposed to come back, and say, 'Yo, Good Samaritan, I repent,' I'd be, 'What you want me to do, here, wash your feet with my unbound hair or something? Whatever. You got something?"

You know? Repent of *what?* Not obeying Jesuits or Protestants or whoever Sarah Palin obeys?

Way I figure it, yer man there comes back, he could say, 'Hey, PP, I got this idea, gimme a hand with this?'

I'd be like, 'OK.'

I'm getting the general notion it's not 'Jesus' wanting me to bow and scrape and wash feet, these days, if you know what I mean.

Your myth, though. Is that what it takes?

"Both McCain and Obama have repudiated the actions of these acquaintances, who have nothing to do with their campaigns and would have nothing to do with their administrations."

No.... McCain hasn't answered for what he did on behalf of the Keating 5 in the last expensive big business bailout, just ignored it and claimed he was actually a 'Maverick.'

And if he ever *was* a 'maverick,' well, he turned around and sought out those he called 'Agents of Intolerance,' and changed his policies to what he presents *now,* too.

Jesus did hang around with sinners but they did not influence him. He influenced the sinners. In truth, he hung around sinners that repented. He stayed away from Pharisee's that didn't besides confronting them with their sin. That is why the Pharisees hated Jesus. He wouldn't accomidate their sin.

We are also told not to be influenced by sinners. The questions remains, "Was Obama influenced by these men."

Rev Wright taught Obama for 20 years. He was a preacher and mentor to Obama by his own account. He taught his congregation to hate whites. Can you believe that this didn't affect Obama? He only denounces the man after the media forced him too.

Just look up some information on Bill Ayers. This man is an unrepentent terrorists. He should be in jail except for his other liberal political connections. He organized a terrorist group and still teaches the same philosophy. He regrets not bombing more. He has never repented. Obama has only recently denounced Ayers actions, after obtaining national spotlight. This is the man whose house Obama used to kick off his polical career. That tells you that he obviously held some of the same views as Ayers. I only shudder when I think of this.

You may be able to ignore the relationships but I can't. Obama wasn't influencing these men, he was being influenced by them. We will only know the full extent if he is elected president.

In the Great Depression, America left the Gold Standard. In todays Depression, America left the God Standard.

The people are down to melting their jewelry now. The way things are going, we're looking at having to rip the gold fillings out of our teeth just to stay above water. It's funny how the millions for sports, politics and entertainment seem to have no end. Anybody working for a living or actually doing something good is supposed to be in a pinch while being squeezed. Interest is coming down and with time oil should follow. It's basic gravity and they can't change it. It's more work going up, so it's less popular. Less popular is better. Less interest is great. More interest is like more tax and look where that got us.

Hmmm,

"When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" But when he heard this, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick."

This passage from the NT passes the necessary attestation and stratum testing of most historic Jesus exegetes.

e.g.

"(1) P. Oxy. 1224, 2 v ii, lines 1-7
(2a) Mark 2:13-17a = Matt 9:9-12 = Luke 5:27-31
(2b) GEbi. 1c
(2c) Luke 15:1-2

Crossan analysis:
Item: 113
Stratum: I (30-60 CE)
Attestation: Double
Historicity: +

So following the lead of Jesus, John McCain was trying to correct the sinning Mr. Keating???

And Barack Obama was trying to bring the "light of white" to Reverend Wright???

And Sarah Palin was absorbing the spells of Pastor Muthee to set him free???

And Joe Biden has no odd and/or sinning friends???