Pastors and Lawyers -Is there a difference? | Eastern NC Now

    In is in the nature of humans to try to find order and organization in all things. I have always wondered why it is a requirement or necessity for pastors (disciples) to acquire a formal education in order to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. He chose the most common of men to be his disciples and gave them a very simple message illustrated with examples.

    The transcript of his philosophy was handed down through the years in various languages and cultures. Mankind has created a multitude of religious sects to explain and teach the people the meaning of his philosophy. Translations have been reviewed and revised so many times that a quick web search will reveal (Bible Gateway ) that every word has been interpreted from ancient and modern times.

    There are a significant number of scholars that attribute various nuisances to the text of whatever manuscript they have chosen to believe and follow. We humans have even set up commissions and held seminars to determine what Jesus said. (Bible Commission ). They have concluded that 80% of the words attributable to Jesus he never said. Others have a different view.

    Now for the average layman, it is most difficult to determine if he is on the right path or heading in the right direction. The great divide between the legalistic and the conceptual interpretation of the scripture has resulted in a chasm in the religious community that seems far afield of the example that Jesus tried to set.

    Lawyers are not born; they are created to explain and adjudicate legal differences of opinion. All laws start out as a detailed admonition on the prescribed way to judge events in life. It should come as no surprise to anyone that our language is not sufficient to explain the shading of any law. We are told that the original intent should be considered when interpreting the law, which virtually renders most laws useless until it is voted on by a group of judges who weren't present when the law was made. If the language was sufficient it would not require interpretation.

    The most simple statement of law can be turned upside down with the simple phrase "What if"? It seems that the same question can be applied to the religious debate. Just as is the case with the law, the scripture has enough verbiage that a phrase or instruction can be supported with a reference. We have organized and coded the Bible for easy reference. The Bible has about 783,137 words but we can't even agree on that number. (Amazing Bible Timeline) It is organized and coded so that we can immediately flip the pages or click on the link to go to a specific point.

    Therefore, we are back to the original premise of the difference between Pastors and Lawyers. If you have ever been involved in a legal dispute or tried to make an agreement to prevent a legal dispute, you no doubt have hired a lawyer to either plead your case or create a contract to explain the duties and responsibilities of both parties. Usually both sides are presented and the resolution will rest in the hands of a judge or jury to render a verdict.

    In that respect, a Pastor may be very similar to the Lawyer. They are there to interpret the scriptures and provide guidance on the correct prescription to adhere to the Laws of the Kingdom of God. That seems awfully complicated to me as a simple layman.

    There is at least one difference though. When you get in legal trouble here on earth, you can hire a Lawyer to represent you in front of the court. When you get in trouble with the Lord, you are on your own. Only you and you alone will stand before the creator to plead you case. However, I suspect that you will not get the opportunity to plead you case in front of God. You did that on earth while you were alive and it is your beliefs and actions that have written your case's disposition. I do not think there will be any "What If's" in the final summation.

    For this reason, I have carefully tried to avoid offering a prescription or pathway to the hereafter. My interpretation of Jesus' teachings are no more important or correct than any other person. However, I will offer an opinion on the subject. Salvation is simply a matter of FAITH. If you believe in something, it should guide you actions and beliefs accordingly. It may not make any difference if you were going 66 MPH or 65 MPH but it could be the direction you were heading that is most important.

   I have no prejudice for or against either Pastors or Lawyers; I have had the need of both in life. I find it difficult to believe that God would construct a path to salvation that is so complicated that we need a deep understanding of the Greek language or whatever customs of the day permitted. It seems that we often go far astray when we try to codify legal issues into minute interpretations and the same may be true for the quest to live a Godly life.

    "That's about all I have to say about that". Forrest Gump

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