Ezekiel 33

I am Catholic.  Not to toot our own horn or anything, but I think we've got a good thing going.  We've got apostolic succession all the way back to St. Peter and a pretty awesome sovereign nation.  Do the Baptists have a sovereign nation?  No.  And Mississippi does not count.

As a Christian, I am a huge fan of the New Testament.  In relation to other religious texts, I think it lays down a decent framework for a belief system.  It has a good message and, aside from Revelations (what is that??) you could live your life by it and come out doing okay.

The Old Testament, on the other hand, is a piece of work.  It is like Christianity's rough draft.  If the New Testament speaks of love, the Old Testament is all about judgment and punishment.  It makes for decent literature, but, religiously speaking, it causes a lot of conflict when everyone is walking around being holier than thou.  It was a good first crack at monotheism, but I think it fell a little short.

For instance, Ezekiel 33:8-9, which was our first reading this past Sunday, says:

"If I say to someone wicked, "Evil-doer, you are to die," and you do not speak to warn the wicked person to renounce such ways, the wicked person will die for this guilt, but I shall hold you responsible for the death.

If, however, you do warn someone wicked to renounce such ways and repent, and that person does not repent, then the culprit will die for this guilt, but you yourself will have saved your life."

That is like a license to be preachy.  In fact, it is an order to be preachy.  God commands it.  If you see someone so much as lift a finger on the Sabbath, as a Christian you would be encouraged--nay, required--to nag this person.  And Christians don't need any help being naggy. 

Oh, and "naggy" is not a word, but it should be.