A religious question for Robert.

[98valk]

http://www.livingwaters.com/good/AreYouGood.html

a test to take. who can pass it?

[elraque]

What cracks me up is that all the Christians posting here are absolutely certain they have the truth.  The fact is, they have a point of view, just like everyone has a point of view.
 
When those that are convinced that they have the 'only way' to salvation and spirituality finally wake up and realize that there is more than one 'right way', they (and us) will be ahead of the game.
 
Jesus was a man.  Jesus and Buddha conveyed much the same message.  The kingdom is within, and is now... not some far away place that you go when you croak.

What if God spoke to mankind now, as He has done in the past... (I'm just "what iffing" here...)?? What if... ?

[98valk]

The problem with that question is this....Its the Hindu gods that will bow a knee to Christ at the judgement, so will everyone else.....no exceptions

You have simply sidestepped my question twice.  I know you must shudder at the thought of a different god being in control of the universe, so I understand your hesitance in directing answering the question. 

bad bob!

http://www.chick.com/reading/tracts/0021/0021_01.asp

[Chrisj CMA]

The problem with that question is this....Its the Hindu gods that will bow a knee to Christ at the judgement, so will everyone else.....no exceptions

You have simply sidestepped my question twice.  I know you must shudder at the thought of a different god being in control of the universe, so I understand your hesitance in directing answering the question. 

No shuddering here..... I just see you question on par with that TV commercial where the little boy asks "Can we go to the moon on vacation"  Sorry

[Billy]

Be careful comparing Hinduism and Christianity, especially the Fundamentalist type Christianity being espoused here. This sin and salvation and the concept of a Christian heaven for the winners would be a little confusing to your average Hindu. For one thing Hinduism is inclusionary, while Christianity is totally exclusive.

[98valk]

The problem with that question is this....Its the Hindu gods that will bow a knee to Christ at the judgement, so will everyone else.....no exceptions

You have simply sidestepped my question twice.  I know you must shudder at the thought of a different god being in control of the universe, so I understand your hesitance in directing answering the question. 

There is only one true God the great "I Am", this the bible tells us many times. All will bow their knee before Him on judgement day, this includes the false gods and prophets.

The bible is accurate and the Word of God.

http://www.clarifyingchristianity.com/b_proof.shtml

"One of the strongest arguments for the accuracy of the Bible is its 100% accuracy in predicting the future. These future predictions are called “prophecies.” The Old Testament was written between approximately 1450 BC and 430 BC. During that time, many predictions of the future were recorded in the Bible by God’s prophets. Of the events that were to have taken place by now, every one happened just the way they predicted it would. No other “sacred writing” has such perfectly accurate predictions of the future."

The Proof of Historians
Secular history supports the Bible. For example, in The Antiquities of the Jews, book 18, chapter 3, paragraph 3 the famous historian Flavius Josephus writes:

“Now, there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man, for he was a doer of wonderful works—a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews, and many of the Gentiles. He was [the] Christ; and when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first did not forsake him, for he appeared to them alive again the third day, as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him; and the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct at this day.”

In 115 AD, P. Cornelius Tacitus wrote the following passage that refers to Jesus (called “Christus,” which means “The Messiah”) in book 15, chapter 44 of The Annals:


http://www.clarifyingchristianity.com/science.shtml

"The Bible is not a science book, yet it is scientifically accurate. We are not aware of any scientific evidence that contradicts the Bible. We have listed statements on this page that are consistent with known scientific facts. Many of them were listed in the Bible hundreds or even thousands of years before being recorded elsewhere"

The Bible described the shape of the earth centuries before people thought that the earth was spherical.

Isaiah 40:22
It is He who sits above the circle of the earth,
And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers,
Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain,
And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.
The word translated “circle” here is the Hebrew word chuwg which is also translated “circuit,” or “compass” (depending on the context). That is, it indicates something spherical, rounded, or arched—not something that is flat or square.

The book of Isaiah was written sometime between 740 and 680 BC. This is at least 300 years before Aristotle suggested that the earth might be a sphere in this book On the Heavens.

This brings up an important historical note related to this topic. Many people are aware of the conflict between Galileo and the Roman Catholic Pope, Paul V. After publishing A Dialogue on the Two Principal Systems of the World, Galileo was summoned to Rome, where he was forced to renounce his findings. (At that time, “theologians” of the Roman Catholic Church maintained that the Earth was the center of the universe, and to assert otherwise was deemed heretical.)

We could not find any place in the Bible that claims that the Earth is flat, or that it is the center of the universe. History shows that this conflict, which took place at the time of the Inquisition, was part of a power struggle. As a result, scientific and biblical knowledge became casualties—an effect we still feel to this day.

[hubcapsc]

Be careful comparing Hinduism and Christianity, especially the Fundamentalist type Christianity being espoused here. This sin and salvation and the concept of a Christian heaven for the winners would be a little confusing to your average Hindu. For one thing Hinduism is inclusionary, while Christianity is totally exclusive.

"For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.

"everyone" excludes noone.

-Mike

[Bobbo]

The problem with that question is this....Its the Hindu gods that will bow a knee to Christ at the judgement, so will everyone else.....no exceptions

You have simply sidestepped my question twice.  I know you must shudder at the thought of a different god being in control of the universe, so I understand your hesitance in directing answering the question. 

bad bob!

http://www.chick.com/reading/tracts/0021/0021_01.asp

Only heavy narcotics could dream up a story like that!   

[Bobbo]

"The Bible is not a science book, yet it is scientifically accurate. We are not aware of any scientific evidence that contradicts the Bible. We have listed statements on this page that are consistent with known scientific facts. Many of them were listed in the Bible hundreds or even thousands of years before being recorded elsewhere"

The Bible described the shape of the earth centuries before people thought that the earth was spherical.

Isaiah 40:22
It is He who sits above the circle of the earth,
And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers,
Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain,
And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.
The word translated “circle” here is the Hebrew word chuwg which is also translated “circuit,” or “compass” (depending on the context). That is, it indicates something spherical, rounded, or arched—not something that is flat or square.

The book of Isaiah was written sometime between 740 and 680 BC. This is at least 300 years before Aristotle suggested that the earth might be a sphere in this book On the Heavens.

This brings up an important historical note related to this topic. Many people are aware of the conflict between Galileo and the Roman Catholic Pope, Paul V. After publishing A Dialogue on the Two Principal Systems of the World, Galileo was summoned to Rome, where he was forced to renounce his findings. (At that time, “theologians” of the Roman Catholic Church maintained that the Earth was the center of the universe, and to assert otherwise was deemed heretical.)

We could not find any place in the Bible that claims that the Earth is flat, or that it is the center of the universe. History shows that this conflict, which took place at the time of the Inquisition, was part of a power struggle. As a result, scientific and biblical knowledge became casualties—an effect we still feel to this day.

Can you explain my previous post regarding Biblical accuracy?

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,22344.msg195686.html#msg195686

“Sits above the circle of the Earth” describes beings, or gods in the sky, which appeared to be a dome or circle to older cultures.  It is a way to describe where the extraterrestrials come from, not the shape of the Earth, which is a sphere.

[Robert]

I asked SE this question but I will ask you Bobbo what Hindu god heals? What proof does anyone offer of another god except religion?

[Billy]

hubcapsc, you left out the Christian belief that one must worship this one diety and only this one diety excluding all others. That is where the exclusiveness comes in.  Hinduism which is much older than Christianity can  view Jesus as just another embodiment of spirt into human or animal form that is if they try really hard, but generally Hinduism  does not incorporate the Christ into their beliefs. They do however recognize him as a holy man and admire his teachings. This exclusiveness is common in all three of the Abrahamic beliefs.  The Jews, Christians and Muslims all all similar in that they all all pretty intollerent of other religions to one degree or another.

[fstsix]

hubcapsc, you left out the Christian belief that one must worship this one diety and only this one diety excluding all others. That is where the exclusiveness comes in.  Hinduism which is much older than Christianity can  view Jesus as just another embodiment of spirt into human or animal form that is if they try really hard, but generally Hinduism  does not incorporate the Christ into their beliefs. They do however recognize him as a holy man and admire his teachings. This exclusiveness is common in all three of the Abrahamic beliefs.  The Jews, Christians and Muslims all all similar in that they all all pretty intollerent of other religions to one degree or another.

Well finally we are getting close here?? One more thing you forgot,,,Jesus was NOT tolerant of "Religion" Himself...As a matter OF Fact it cost Him His life to dispute the Pharisees and the Scribes and the religious leaders...

[Billy]

Exactly, Good point From the earliest days when the Jesus followers were little more than a messanic cult, they rubbed the Jews the wrong way. Three hundred years later around 325AD with Constantine, the Christians finally obtained some clout, it then became payback time. History is well documented  what the Jews went through by the hands of Christians. The Pagan (Greeks), the Northern European religions faired little better with the Celts and Druids essentially wiped out.

[big turkey]

Whew,,,,,, you guys need a Hobby.

How long does it take to figure this thing out.

Some will and some won't and the rest well,,,,,,,,,, who cares.

See yah on the other side.

Be sure yah got some Fire Insurance is all I can say.

It ain't gonna be pretty if yah don't.

Thats a fact.

Al

[fstsix]

Exactly, Good point From the earliest days when the Jesus followers were little more than a messanic cult, they rubbed the Jews the wrong way. Three hundred years later around 325AD with Constantine, the Christians finally obtained some clout, it then became payback time. History is well documented  what the Jews went through by the hands of Christians. The Pagan (Greeks), the Northern European religions faired little better with the Celts and Druids essentially wiped out.

Correct!! We agree,, And what did Jesus have to say As a Jew to the Jews, Constantine, Pagans, Celts, Druids, And the Northern European Religions, Jesus people, And about "Clout" Aka Pride, WWJD? This is where most Miss the point?

[Robert]

Sinners Prayer	powered by Aeva

All to Jesus I Surrender	powered by Aeva

I'd Rather Have Jesus - Crabb Family	powered by Aeva

Kari Jobe singing "You Are For Me"	powered by Aeva

[big turkey]

Split a piece of wood you will find me.

Turn over a rock I am there.

Truth is you don't have to believe in anything in this life.

But you were built to worship and you will try to fill that hole up in your soul , body , spirit

with something.

It's just the way we are made.

All over the world people try to do the same thing.

That should tell you something about how we are all the same in that respect.

Jesus is what I believe in , so I really don't care about how you try to fill yourself to feel good.

But if you ever experience the Grace and Love and Forgiveness in Christ , no other God

will ever come close, whether your God be money, woman, or power, it does not even

compare.

When you have found the real thing you can;'t be fooled with a reasonable facsimile.

Nothing will ever fool you into a false god ever again.

The truth will set you free.

Al

[Billy]

Not giving any value as to the validity of any belief system here. Simply outlining the Christian religions anthropology as a social institution. Lots of power playing, and control goes on with the spread of any religion. Christianity is no different. I'm not playing  the Jews, et al had it coming to them game.

[fstsix]

Any organized Religion Controlled by "Man" will have the same outcome. Remember Man Invented Religion, Jesus just had Nothing good to say about religion. 

[big turkey]

Came back from the Dead and walked around and over 400 people saw, ate with, talked to,

listened to, and saw him ascend into the Heavens.

Just like the sciptures fortold in the old testament,,,help me here.

A man acquainted with sorrows, not comely that we should want to look at him.

Never the less ,,,,God's Son.

How much proof does a feller need.

Remember some people would not even believe if they stuck their hand into his side and

touched his wounds after he was resurrected, oh I guess that was Thomas.

Any way ,,have a good evening and I hope one day to see you all on the other side

of this etheric plane that is ,, in the reality that is,, what is,, prepared for us.

Al

[Bobbo]

I asked SE this question but I will ask you Bobbo what Hindu god heals? What proof does anyone offer of another god except religion?

I’m not an expert in Hinduism, so I have no idea if they claim magical powers like the one you describe. 

[Bobbo]

Came back from the Dead and walked around and over 400 people saw, ate with, talked to,

listened to, and saw him ascend into the Heavens.

Many more than 400 people claim to see space aliens every year.  Maybe you should bow a knee to Zotar from the planet Neblium!!

 

[Willow]

More directly, what does a Christian say or do as he stands before the Hindu gods during judgment? 

Bob, I try, because of my responsibility to this board, to stay out of these discussions despite that there are some real doozies on both sides that beg to be corrected.  I guess I just gave in to temptation at the ridiculous suggestion that you'd asked a question so intimidating that no one dared answer. Since I've already violated my boundaries, I'll offer, with apologies to Jabba for his hijacked thread, this one last response.

Your question seems to be attempting to apply a Christian concept to a non-Christian belief system.  Unless I've misread you, though, you claim allegiance to neither Christianity nor Hinduism, so I'm not certain of the point of your question.  I guess you're asking on behalf of a third party, sort of as a Devil's advocate?

The simple answer is the same in either direction.  If or when you and I postmortem find ourselves before the judgment seat, euphemistically speaking, of an all knowing, all powerful Creator we will not argue; we will not defend ourselves; we will not inform that Being.  We will only bow our heads and acknowledge that the Author of all that is right is still right.

On the other hand, if that Creator Being is not omniscient and omnipotent then we need to both get busy formulating our arguments and stop wasting our time and efforts with lesser beings such as you and me.          

[Bobbo]

More directly, what does a Christian say or do as he stands before the Hindu gods during judgment? 

Bob, I try, because of my responsibility to this board, to stay out of these discussions despite that there are some real doozies on both sides that beg to be corrected.  I guess I just gave in to temptation at the ridiculous suggestion that you'd asked a question so intimidating that no one dared answer. Since I've already violated my boundaries, I'll offer, with apologies to Jabba for his hijacked thread, this one last response.

Your question seems to be attempting to apply a Christian concept to a non-Christian belief system.  Unless I've misread you, though, you claim allegiance to neither Christianity nor Hinduism, so I'm not certain of the point of your question.  I guess you're asking on behalf of a third party, sort of as a Devil's advocate?

The simple answer is the same in either direction.  If or when you and I postmortem find ourselves before the judgment seat, euphemistically speaking, of an all knowing, all powerful Creator we will not argue; we will not defend ourselves; we will not inform that Being.  We will only bow our heads and acknowledge that the Author of all that is right is still right.

On the other hand, if that Creator Being is not omniscient and omnipotent then we need to both get busy formulating our arguments and stop wasting our time and efforts with lesser beings such as you and me.          

My question was asked in response to several smug posts that proclaim security in salvation since they chose the Christian god over no god at all.  My question puts forth the scenario of other possibilities than belief or non-belief.

I agree that all would respect the Creator, if one exists, if met in the afterlife, regardless of previous religious beliefs.

[elraque]

I'm willing to respond, Bob.

Either you don't understand the question or he's not asked the correct question.  The choice specified by the question is the Christian God or not the Christian God. 

If there are multiple correct choices, the Christian God cannot be one of them as indeed Jesus, the Christ, did claim exclusivity.  Hence the Christian is not empowered to hedge his bets with other possibilities nor is the infidel empowered to hedge his bets by adding Christianity to his other beliefs.

I guess I have perhaps slightly overstated if all possibilities are considered.  If there were, in fact, no god then any choice, including Christianity, will suffice equally well.

More directly, what does a Christian say or do as he stands before the Hindu gods during judgment?  This is the same context as asking a non-Christian what he would do if he stands before the Christian god to be judged.

A true Christian standing before ANY god (or God) would respond by saying "Christ is my advocate before you. I am made perfect in Him, washed clean in His blood." It's what we believe. We won't deny our faith, not under any circumstances and not before ANY being.

[elraque]

Be careful comparing Hinduism and Christianity, especially the Fundamentalist type Christianity being espoused here. This sin and salvation and the concept of a Christian heaven for the winners would be a little confusing to your average Hindu. For one thing Hinduism is inclusionary, while Christianity is totally exclusive.

True Christianity is completely inclusive without being compulsory. Christ invites ALL to come unto Him and through Him to be reconciled to the Father. Christ compels NO ONE to come unto Him. But He accepts ALL who accept Him.

[x]

Be careful comparing Hinduism and Christianity, especially the Fundamentalist type Christianity being espoused here. This sin and salvation and the concept of a Christian heaven for the winners would be a little confusing to your average Hindu. For one thing Hinduism is inclusionary, while Christianity is totally exclusive.

"For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.

"everyone" excludes noone.

-Mike

You highlighted the wrong part.  It should be "everyone who believes in Him", because that is a truly exclusionary statement, and from my point of view, complete bullsh*t.  The God I know would not condemn someone to a life without God because they didn't accept Jesus... and the fact of the matter is that the majority of the world's population are not Christians.  It is a bloody self righteous point of view to believe that only your belief system gets you to heaven.

[alph]

Came back from the Dead and walked around and over 400 people saw, ate with, talked to, listened to, and saw him ascend into the Heavens.

There were 4 known Roman historical writers that lived in Jerusalem during the time of Christ.  Their jobs were to investigate and document the happenings of the Roman leaders of that area.  NOT ONE OF THEM WROTE ABOUT JESUS IN THEIR WRITTINGS.  Sure, there are many writings about jesus after his “death”, but if you study the writers history, they were ALL born at best, during the crucifixion.  So in reality, they only re-told the stories their parents told them.  And as for the “four” gospels, they were also written some 30 years after the fact.  If you do a search of “historical proof of jesus”, you will find MANY church groups that will say he existed.  That’s like only reading the writings of Jessie Jackson, Malcolm X, and Louis Farrakhan, about the race riots of the late ‘60s.  tell me that’s not a one sided argument.

Try to write a synopsis of your own history, how well do you remember things even 10 years ago?  And today, we have much more automatic historical recording devices (ie, bank statements, tax filings, birth certificates, hell I can even find my parents immigration papers written 60 years ago!!)

You highlighted the wrong part.  It should be "everyone who believes in Him", because that is a truly exclusionary statement, and from my point of view, complete bullsh*t.  The God I know would not condemn someone to a life without God because they didn't accept Jesus... and the fact of the matter is that the majority of the world's population are not Christians.  It is a bloody self righteous point of view to believe that only your belief system gets you to heaven.

AMEN BROTHER WAYNE!!  PREACH IT!!

My argument to the whole Christ thing would be this; if jesus so loved the world, why hasn’t he been back since he left 2000 years ago?  Sure, people see his image in water stains, potato chips, even the wood grain on oak doors.  If he can “rise from the dead” then, why couldn’t he do it now? 

[Jabba]

I don't consider this "my" thread.  I started it as a spin off of another one... that Robert was quoting scripture in, and I didn't want to hi-jack THAT one.

It all really comes down to... People think THEY are right, and the rest of the world is whacked.  It applies to Politics, Religion and work.  Illustrated by the classic joke...

A story was told in Spain during the 1490s about a certain nobleman who died and went to heaven. The Lord accompanied him down the long halls of the heavenly castle, pointing out to him the various rooms from among which he could choose his eternal paradise. "In here," the Lord said, "are the Chinamen and Indians who call themselves Buddhists. Along here," He said, continuing on down the hall, "are the Lutherans, down here are the Protestants, here the Moors, and there the Russian Orthodox." And then as they came upon the next room the Lord rose up on His tiptoes and put His finger on His lips. "Shh," He whispered, and they passed by that door quietly and went on. "Here we have the Jews," the Lord said as they came upon the next room, at which point the nobleman begged to interrupt Him and asked, "What about that room back there? The one we tiptoed past?" "Shh," the Lord whispered again. "That room is for the Catholics. They think they're the only ones up here."

You can fill in the religions as you want, but the concept is the same.  I had a girlfriend in high school dump me once, telling me that I was being misled because I was Catholic.  

I do appreciate everyone's involvement in this, and the essential civility involved.

I still like to think that God loves us all, and isn't petty enough to condemn us to hell for not embracing the concept of Jesus.  That's really the bottom line right?  Accept Jesus and get in, or reject Jesus and be condemned by a petty and ruthless God that cares not about your works in life.
 

Jabba

[Robert]

Roman historical writers would not write about a man crucified a criminal beaten and flogged they were more concerned with writing about the Roman glory. You have to go to Josephus (c.37 – 100 ) he will give you information on Jesus. He is a historical writer Jewish and its really interesting. As for leaving us here all alone no wonder you never really accepted Christianity you didn't learn one of the most important Parts. Without Him you are just another Christian in word.
  Jesus was really worried about his followers and prayed and protected them. But Jesus said one thing its good I go to the Father for He will send the comforter. This is the same Holy Spirit that was with Jesus, and although Jesus divested Himself of all power it was through the Holy Spirit that He had the power just like today. The very same spirit that in a form of a dove lighted on Jesus after he was Baptized by John. It was then His ministry started. The Comforter or Holy Spirit is here with us today God didn't leave us as orphans. He has the power and also reveals to us things the Father says. The Bible says you will have power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you this happened to the apostles on the day of Pentecost. I urge all to come close to the Holy Spirit He is here with us and the one that calls our hearts to come closer to Jesus. It is also through Him that we do have the very same power that was in Jesus to raise the dead and heal diseases. The closer you come to the Holy Spirit the more miracle working power you will see in your life. He is that small voice that talks to us. After meeting the person of the Holy Spirit your walk with God will never be the same.

  How is it Alph if you were ever a Christian did you miss one of the most important tenets of the Christian faith. The one that allows us to go beyond ourselves and truly have a relationship with the father? The one that comforts and guides who gives power and is always with us?

As for SE get over it, if I offered my son on a cross to forgive you of your sins you bet that I would say that there are conditions. Especially if I warned you and told you what was going to happen and the said walk this way. Then also put in your heart what was the right way and a conformation of who I was.  So in you being rebellious dosent change the facts. if you are so worried about your friends then you had better get to work and find a way to have them convert.

As for the churches this is the grievous offenses that they dont teach the gifts of the Spirit or about the day of Pentecost and teach how to walk in our full Glory that God gave us. WE ARE NOT POWERLESS LIKE RELIGIONS. My people perish for lack of knowledge why because the Father gave us a awesome gift just like Jesus and we have the same power but most Christians dont even know it. They dont have any idea there is a depth to our walk and power over all things, but this isnt achieved by religion and just reading a book it is achieved by having  a relationship with the Holy Spirit and with Jesus and God. When some one asks you if you talk to God you should proudly say yes. Jesus healed all that came to Him so did the Apostles that same power through the Holy Spirit is with us here now today. This is part of our Godly inheritance that is promised for now and eternally. Wake up you dead and dying Christians and grasp the unfathomable riches that we possess. Now and for the times to come.

selah--wonderful merciful savior	powered by Aeva

[SANDMAN5]

Religion is man's attempt to define God and focuses on what YOU do. Christianity is God's revelation of Himself and focuses on what Jesus has done!

[Chrisj CMA]

Religion is man's attempt to define God and focuses on what YOU do. Christianity is God's revelation of Himself and focuses on what Jesus has done!

+1 AMEN

[Robert]

We have a great example of how God works listen to this,
  Management gave me a warning about bantering so I really had to be careful about what I wrote and would not start a thread for myself on this subject. So when replying to another post of course some were on the attack because I was trying to express a different way of thinking about something. So Jabba started a post and asked for my thoughts and this post was fully open to my responses, so I had to respond didn't I? lol This gave me the ability to say what I thought some needed to hear. Now I could have been upset but instead had prayed about it before this took place and see how the Lord used the saved and unsaved to get His message out. In Jesus day in His enemy's thought they were doing the biggest favor by crucifying Him. But the truth was they were in Gods plan all along and were unleashing the biggest wave of Glory and salvation the world had ever seen. So when you think God isnt working just look a little harder and pray a little harder. All,,,,,, All things are possible to those that believe. Dont put God in a box and allow Him to be God in your life He has some unusual ways to answer prayer. The Jews and Romans weren't happy with Jesus because they couldn't see a army to take the Romans. But what they didnt see overtook them. Praise God

[x]

What cracks me up is that all the Christians posting here are absolutely certain they have the truth.  The fact is, they have a point of view, just like everyone has a point of view.
 
When those that are convinced that they have the 'only way' to salvation and spirituality finally wake up and realize that there is more than one 'right way', they (and us) will be ahead of the game.
 
Jesus was a man.  Jesus and Buddha conveyed much the same message.  The kingdom is within, and is now... not some far away place that you go when you croak.

What if God spoke to mankind now, as He has done in the past... (I'm just "what iffing" here...)?? What if... ?

So... why doesn't She?  Is the mike busted?  Are we no longer worthy of being spoken to by She That Is?

[Chrisj CMA]

What cracks me up is that all the Christians posting here are absolutely certain they have the truth.  The fact is, they have a point of view, just like everyone has a point of view.
 
When those that are convinced that they have the 'only way' to salvation and spirituality finally wake up and realize that there is more than one 'right way', they (and us) will be ahead of the game.
 
Jesus was a man.  Jesus and Buddha conveyed much the same message.  The kingdom is within, and is now... not some far away place that you go when you croak.

What if God spoke to mankind now, as He has done in the past... (I'm just "what iffing" here...)?? What if... ?

So... why doesn't She?  Is the mike busted?  Are we not longer worthy of being spoken to by She That Is?

We were never worthy, and no we are not now worthy.  God sent his Son to die for us while we were unworthy......you balk at that......God made a way for his Word to be written down in your language...you balk at at that too.

When you disrespect almost everyone on this board SE you just look small and angry.  But, the way you disrespect God I would not want to answer for, and by doing that you have lost every minute bit of respect I could have ever had for you.  I pitty you actually...........Im done with this thread so any reply you can conjer up will most likely prove my point, however, I will not see it.

Jabba.....the answer to your quest to know God will probably not come from one of us convincing you.  It will most likely be found if you genuinely seek God himself and ask him to show himself to you and convince you of the truth.

[Bobbo]

A true Christian standing before ANY god (or God) would respond by saying "Christ is my advocate before you. I am made perfect in Him, washed clean in His blood." It's what we believe. We won't deny our faith, not under any circumstances and not before ANY being.

I salute you for being the only one to give a straightforward answer to this question.  Your response is very similar to mine, in that I would stick to my beliefs, and suffer any consequence (which I expect would be none).

[elraque]

Came back from the Dead and walked around and over 400 people saw, ate with, talked to, listened to, and saw him ascend into the Heavens.

There were 4 known Roman historical writers that lived in Jerusalem during the time of Christ.  Their jobs were to investigate and document the happenings of the Roman leaders of that area.  NOT ONE OF THEM WROTE ABOUT JESUS IN THEIR WRITTINGS.  Sure, there are many writings about jesus after his “death”, but if you study the writers history, they were ALL born at best, during the crucifixion.  So in reality, they only re-told the stories their parents told them.  And as for the “four” gospels, they were also written some 30 years after the fact.  If you do a search of “historical proof of jesus”, you will find MANY church groups that will say he existed.  That’s like only reading the writings of Jessie Jackson, Malcolm X, and Louis Farrakhan, about the race riots of the late ‘60s.  tell me that’s not a one sided argument.

Try to write a synopsis of your own history, how well do you remember things even 10 years ago?  And today, we have much more automatic historical recording devices (ie, bank statements, tax filings, birth certificates, hell I can even find my parents immigration papers written 60 years ago!!)

You highlighted the wrong part.  It should be "everyone who believes in Him", because that is a truly exclusionary statement, and from my point of view, complete bullsh*t.  The God I know would not condemn someone to a life without God because they didn't accept Jesus... and the fact of the matter is that the majority of the world's population are not Christians.  It is a bloody self righteous point of view to believe that only your belief system gets you to heaven.

AMEN BROTHER WAYNE!!  PREACH IT!!

My argument to the whole Christ thing would be this; if jesus so loved the world, why hasn’t he been back since he left 2000 years ago?  Sure, people see his image in water stains, potato chips, even the wood grain on oak doors.  If he can “rise from the dead” then, why couldn’t he do it now? 

There are certain "churches" that believe that He has been back. Some even claim that they are led and directed by Him in modern days. I can put you in touch with "emissaries" from one or more of those churches, if you're really interested in learning about them.  By and large, such "churches" aren't well received, especially by the Christians who claim there is no need for him to do so.

[elraque]

What cracks me up is that all the Christians posting here are absolutely certain they have the truth.  The fact is, they have a point of view, just like everyone has a point of view.
 
When those that are convinced that they have the 'only way' to salvation and spirituality finally wake up and realize that there is more than one 'right way', they (and us) will be ahead of the game.
 
Jesus was a man.  Jesus and Buddha conveyed much the same message.  The kingdom is within, and is now... not some far away place that you go when you croak.

What if God spoke to mankind now, as He has done in the past... (I'm just "what iffing" here...)?? What if... ?

So... why doesn't She?  Is the mike busted?  Are we no longer worthy of being spoken to by She That Is?

As I just posted, there are those (churches) who claim that God still speaks to mankind, as in the past. Some even claim to have living prophets. These (churches and prophets) are not well received. If they came to you, SE, and made that claim, would you investigate their claim, or would you reject them out of hand?

[Robert]

The story of Pauls/Sauls conversion is awesome and supernatural. Saul, pharisee knowing the law, judge of the law never had peace till he met Jesus. The most religious man not able to see the prophecy about a coming Savior until touched one day on the road to Damascus. What lifted that day that he was able to see the truth? Was this really the conviction of truth being played out in a life not wanting to accept the truth? He had a encounter with Jesus, I know many that need this touch to have the lie lifted to see the truth, If even only for a moment. If you think religion brings peace we have a example here how it doesn't. But once touched Saul went on to speak clearly and pull all the knowledge in scripture together to almost convince a King that He needs salvation. While others called him mad Jesus called him blessed. Seeing they do not see hearing they do not hear. How close do you want to be? How much do you want to hear? Will you not press in for your own Damascus road experience? The joy that has left life will return, guidence and peace will be yours and you will have made a friend that sticks closer than a brother. Bless you all today I pray for all your protection while riding. Ride with the King





'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.'
Act 26:15  "And I said, 'Who are You, Lord?' And the Lord said, 'I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.
Act 26:16  'But get up and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you;
Act 26:17  rescuing you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you,
Act 26:18  to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.'
Act 26:19  "So, King Agrippa, I did not prove disobedient to the heavenly vision,
Act 26:20  but kept declaring both to those of Damascus first, and also at Jerusalem and then throughout all the region of Judea, and even to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds appropriate to repentance.
Act 26:21  "For this reason some Jews seized me in the temple and tried to put me to death.
Act 26:22  "So, having obtained help from God, I stand to this day testifying both to small and great, stating nothing but what the Prophets and Moses said was going to take place;
Act 26:23  that the Christ was to suffer, and that by reason of His resurrection from the dead He would be the first to proclaim light both to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles."
Act 26:24  While Paul was saying this in his defense, Festus *said in a loud voice, "Paul, you are out of your mind! Your great learning is driving you mad."
Act 26:25  But Paul *said, "I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I utter words of sober truth.
Act 26:26  "For the king knows about these matters, and I speak to him also with confidence, since I am persuaded that none of these things escape his notice; for this has not been done in a corner.
Act 26:27  "King Agrippa, do you believe the Prophets? I know that you do."
Act 26:28  Agrippa replied to Paul, "In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian."

[Robert]

If you know the Bible and dont either tell people about it or show it by your actions then you are really saying,,, go to hell