Posted 12/18/2009 03:20:00 PM by Douglas

Hey, what is usury, anyway?

Of course, this patently ignores the history of how decisions have been made in the church - a primary example being usury. The argument I make here is not that since the church has changed its mind without theological justification on usury that it MUST do so in regards to sexuality. I simply argue that to claim that the church cannot debate this issue with some prospect for change due to some idea of the immovability of tradition is a argument based in a misreading of church history. I believe we are facing a decision of what to "bind" and what to "loose" (Matt 18:18) and that what we need is debate, not a shouting match.

I looked it up. "Ecumenical council" means "shouting match" with people in funny hats in robes. Possibly even a Snuggie or two. But the question is, does God need to be involved with every loan? Should I consult the divine if I purchase a new washer on my credit card? I think Polonius said it best:

Neither a borrower nor a lender be;
For loan oft loses both itself and friend,
And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry.
This above all: to thine ownself be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.

Just don't hide behind the tapestry when the crazy dude is talkin' to his mom.