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(February 25, 2015 at 8:05 pm)rexbeccarox Wrote: So when can it be relied upon, and how do you know which parts are the accurate ones?
The bible is totally reliable to relate the truth that God wants it to. One purpose of the old testament was to declare God as the creator of the universe and that he is above all. Also it shows us that we are sinners in need of a messiah and leads us to the coming of our savior Jesus Christ. I view the gospels as accurate history, attested to by four different writers from that time. There's also the views of the early church fathers who lived so close to the time of Jesus and the new testament writers. Finally, I rely on the Holy Spirit, the Counselor, whom Jesus promised to his followers - the one who would "lead us into all truth". When I read scripture I'm being led by the Holy Spirit to ensure that eventually I will know the truth of the scriptures.
Quote:Why not? How long do you think one's time there will be?
How long is hell? As long as it takes to acknowledge Christ.
Romans 14:11 (NIV)
11 It is written:
“‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,
‘every knee will bow before me;
every tongue will acknowledge God.’”
Quote:Why do you believe this?
(About those who are unable to hear of Christ). I believe that those who truly seek God but haven't heard of Christ will be saved because:
Matthew 7:7New International Version (NIV)
7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
Quote:But government does have business in marriage, as religion doesn't have a monopoly on the term. What do you want gay couples to do while you fight the government over semantics?
Government has the business of ensuring peoples' rights are upheld. I believe if you give certain legal rights to one type of adult couple that right should be available to other types of adult couples, whether they are married or not. I can be married without the government's consent and with no legal contract just by my wife and me pledging ourselves to each other. The government deciding to change the meaning of marriage to encompass two people of the same sex is akin to a college declaring that fraternities now consist of men and women. They would be redefining an institution that is dear to many. Fraternities were established first, and then when women wanted a similar organization, they didn't proceed to change the definition of fraternities to include women, but rather established a similar organization for women.
Quote:I hope you meant to add that while you think it's sinful, you have no business sticking your nose into anyone's bedroom but your own.
(In regards to homosexual relations). Agreed.
Quote:I think I remember you saying once that you only visit the Christianity section of the forum. We often do discuss our similarities in other sections.
I spend most of my time in the christianity and atheist forums, and have dabbled in the off topic and political areas, but I'm a conservative, which puts me at odds with most of the posters there. Don't get me wrong though. I do enjoy debating.
Lek, how can you say the Bible is "totally reliable" when we know stories such as Adam and Eve, the Flood and and Exodus didn't happen *in any way* as described in the Bible.
Jesus seemed to believe all three of these stories were literal truth. How do you explain that? Plot holes galore.
Lastly, several of us have asked, but I might have missed your response: how do you reconcile evolution with original sin?
(February 28, 2015 at 12:50 pm)JesusHChrist Wrote: Lek, how can you say the Bible is "totally reliable" when we know stories such as Adam and Eve, the Flood and and Exodus didn't happen *in any way* as described in the Bible.
Jesus seemed to believe all three of these stories were literal truth. How do you explain that? Plot holes galore.
Lastly, several of us have asked, but I might have missed your response: how do you reconcile evolution with original sin?
She said that she's changed her mind on both of those points.
(February 28, 2015 at 1:24 pm)The Reality Salesman Wrote:
(February 28, 2015 at 12:50 pm)JesusHChrist Wrote: Lek, how can you say the Bible is "totally reliable" when we know stories such as Adam and Eve, the Flood and and Exodus didn't happen *in any way* as described in the Bible.
Jesus seemed to believe all three of these stories were literal truth. How do you explain that? Plot holes galore.
Lastly, several of us have asked, but I might have missed your response: how do you reconcile evolution with original sin?
She said that she's changed her mind on both of those points.
Wait... is Lek a girl?
"YOU take the hard look in the mirror. You are everything that is wrong with this world. The only thing important to you, is you." - ronedee
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Hiya Lek -- you're one of the few online Christians I've met that are likeable, and I appreciate the fact that you review your beliefs with an eye to making them better comport with reality. If I sometimes get testy in a discussion, don't take it personally -- I'm just an asshole.
Now, if I get testy all the time, like I do with Drich, that's because I think you're the bigger asshole. But in this case, no, that would be me.
(February 28, 2015 at 12:00 am)Lek Wrote: Not so. My views on various christian doctrines and other issues have changed many times in the past. I have no urge to depart from my faith.
Yet.
Don't underestimate the depth of terror that the prospect of having to make do with what is actually there holds for a mind accustomed to wishthinking by faith and worship.
(February 28, 2015 at 2:27 pm)Chuck Wrote: Don't underestimate the depth of terror that the prospect of having to make do with what is actually there holds for a mind accustomed to wishthinking by faith and worship.
During their lifetimes, most christians go through the process of sanctification, during which they grow in their faith and service. I started out being raised as a catholic and have gone through numerous transformations since then. These transformations are natural to a christian's growth and have brought me closer to Christ, rather than drawing me away.
(February 28, 2015 at 2:20 pm)Parkers Tan Wrote: Hiya Lek -- you're one of the few online Christians I've met that are likeable, and I appreciate the fact that you review your beliefs with an eye to making them better comport with reality. If I sometimes get testy in a discussion, don't take it personally -- I'm just an asshole.
Now, if I get testy all the time, like I do with Drich, that's because I think you're the bigger asshole. But in this case, no, that would be me.
I have a pretty thick skin and don't get my feelings hurt too easily. You do help keep things lively around here. Like I said before, if we could all meet in person we would get along much better. As for Drich and the other christians here, I'm sure we disagree on certain points of doctrine, but we're all brothers in Christ and I support them 100%.
(February 28, 2015 at 2:27 pm)Chuck Wrote: Don't underestimate the depth of terror that the prospect of having to make do with what is actually there holds for a mind accustomed to wishthinking by faith and worship.
During their lifetimes, most christians go through the process of sanctification, during which they grow in their faith and service. I started out being raised as a catholic and have gone through numerous transformations since then. These transformations are natural to a christian's growth and have brought me closer to Christ, rather than drawing me away.
Your growth is to swim around in a amorphously comforting slime of wishthinking, faith and worship rather than climb out and survey the place this little putrid swamp occupies in physical reality. That's better than some who would just drift with the slow current in this swamp, but it not a substitute for getting out and seeing the swamp from the outside.
