Min, I prefer it when Robert Tilton talks out his ass. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AEN5BzwJGI
As for the other stuff: Religious people used to say that the reason why miracles like those in the book of acts don't happen today is that (and there are several versions of this) the special anointing that Jesus put on the disciples was never passed down to later generations. The power of the miracle producing magic spell (as I would call it) ended with the disciples. Another version of this belief is that "those miracles aren't for us today" because the purpose for them was to get the glorious church of god started (kind of like a push start).
A more modern explanation is that the miracles died out when the church lost their first love so to speak. This belief assumes that Christianity didn't evolve at all. It was perfect (with a few flaws) in the time of Paul, then it went a bit haywire during the reign of the Catholics (note my sarcasm) and then it started it's way back to it's original state of near perfection after the reformation. To "Prove" this they claim that when the church rose in power it had some sort of inverse relationship with miracle producing power. They believe that the more Christians "get back to god" the more miracles will happen. To "prove" this they cite the increase in modern day miracles (BTW I realize that these aren't actual miracles) and they claim that Christians are more devoted to god now than in the past. Therefore, based on the "evidence", the solution to this problem is for everyone to return to God, find their first love so to speak, raid congress and the U.N. and put in Christian leaders (I'm exaggerating a bit here) blah, blah blah.
Finally, if you really want to get twisted off some Christians believe that the supposed increase in miracles (something that has not been proven) is proof that god is pooing out his spirit on all men. Why is god doing this? Because these are the last days; the proof that miracles are increasing (which I mentioned before isn't proof at all) is proof that Jesus is coming soon. Do you have a headache yet?
This latter bit is a bit serious. People actually believe that if the world becomes some sort of Christian theocracy then the miracles that happened in the stories of the Bible will be an every day occurrance.
*my disclaimer* I realize that the above beliefs are pure batshittershittery. I realize that it's some seriously amended history. I just posted it because this is what they preach (with some variation) in charismatic fundy churches. Next question: Why did I bother to post the above bullshit? A: because there aren't enough Christians posting on this forum to make these discussions as lively as they could be. If they aren't going to provide such input I guess I'll have to.
As for the other stuff: Religious people used to say that the reason why miracles like those in the book of acts don't happen today is that (and there are several versions of this) the special anointing that Jesus put on the disciples was never passed down to later generations. The power of the miracle producing magic spell (as I would call it) ended with the disciples. Another version of this belief is that "those miracles aren't for us today" because the purpose for them was to get the glorious church of god started (kind of like a push start).
A more modern explanation is that the miracles died out when the church lost their first love so to speak. This belief assumes that Christianity didn't evolve at all. It was perfect (with a few flaws) in the time of Paul, then it went a bit haywire during the reign of the Catholics (note my sarcasm) and then it started it's way back to it's original state of near perfection after the reformation. To "Prove" this they claim that when the church rose in power it had some sort of inverse relationship with miracle producing power. They believe that the more Christians "get back to god" the more miracles will happen. To "prove" this they cite the increase in modern day miracles (BTW I realize that these aren't actual miracles) and they claim that Christians are more devoted to god now than in the past. Therefore, based on the "evidence", the solution to this problem is for everyone to return to God, find their first love so to speak, raid congress and the U.N. and put in Christian leaders (I'm exaggerating a bit here) blah, blah blah.
Finally, if you really want to get twisted off some Christians believe that the supposed increase in miracles (something that has not been proven) is proof that god is pooing out his spirit on all men. Why is god doing this? Because these are the last days; the proof that miracles are increasing (which I mentioned before isn't proof at all) is proof that Jesus is coming soon. Do you have a headache yet?
This latter bit is a bit serious. People actually believe that if the world becomes some sort of Christian theocracy then the miracles that happened in the stories of the Bible will be an every day occurrance.
*my disclaimer* I realize that the above beliefs are pure batshittershittery. I realize that it's some seriously amended history. I just posted it because this is what they preach (with some variation) in charismatic fundy churches. Next question: Why did I bother to post the above bullshit? A: because there aren't enough Christians posting on this forum to make these discussions as lively as they could be. If they aren't going to provide such input I guess I'll have to.
I have studied the Bible and the theology behind Christianity for many years. I have been to many churches. I have walked the depth and the breadth of the religion and, as a result of this, I have a lot of bullshit to scrape off the bottom of my shoes. ~Ziploc Surprise
