On Tuesdays I take Christian Ethics, Christian Apologetics, Theology II, and Sermon Prep. Today we covered the difference between theologians and philosophers of the rationalist tradition and those of the existentialist tradition. Robespierre and the ideology of the Terror and Heidegger and angst. Christian Ethics is actually one of my favorite courses and I have learned a lot in it. I think though, the more I learn, the more certain I am of a quote by Albert Einstein – “If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” That’s not to say my school or any of my professors, individually lack knowledge concerning Jesus Christ or Theology. It is to say, after learning the vast and expansive pains man has gone through to understand God, it is evident that for many ages man has not understood God very well.
God became this indescribable ideology to some, to others an elusive philosophy that escaped literary definition as no words would suffice. To the theistic schools He became debatable and frameable, capturable almost in councils of great holy men, all sure of their election and their religion. Is he that complicated? Perhaps man’s persuit of even God is only his own inflated ego trying to prove his intelligence and capabilities and yet again creating for himself something to be worshipped- his ideas and his own intellect. No golden calf necessary this time – man can just worship his self perceived wisdom.
The beauty of Jesus’ sacred simplicity is that it is understandable and enthralling to even those holding the highest of educational degrees – yet his message can also be completely understood by an illiterate 40 year old homeless man, who has a shelter worker read to him from the pages of a donated bible. Jesus message is universal and it is for all. It is simply complex and complexly simple – and it holds universal and unilateral wisdom that speaks of an absolute truth – that the human heart longs for. That’s why it doesn’t matter if it’s 1217, 1517, 1817 or 2017 and it doesn’t matter if it’s read in Russia, China, or North America – Jesus Christ’s simplicity is boundless, timeless, and borderless it reaches out and is relateable to all mankind.
I find Peters original declaration of the person of Christ and his Diety to be absolutely sufficient. If all you ever know is this – you are blessed by God.
Mathew 16:15-17 “He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.”
The beauty of Jesus Christ is his simplicity. He understands all classes of people, all tribes, all nations – he understands the one thing we all share – the human heart. He speaks to its condition and offers us an answer to our ailment. A solution to our suffering and he did it with three little words “Come follow me” – his language was such that ALL men could understand him, from the learned to the uneducated and illiterate. He again spoke to all people in a simple complexity that has withstood time, civilizations and transcends cultures. His message – unchanging. His truths – undeniable. The synoptic gospels are brief in comparison to the undefinable truths they hold. That’s why I love the Bible, that’s how I know it is the Word of God, because it alone does what Albert Einstein insisted, it explains the Gospel of Jesus Christ simply.
This is in contrast to man’s thoughts on the matter…here is an outline from today’s studies as we covered the age of non-reason. This is an excerpt from Dr. Francis Schaeffers Series entitled “How Should We Then Live” Dr. Shaffer is a brilliant man and I recommend this series to anyone who wishes to have a deeper understanding of the impact of Christianity on all formational periods of history. This outline is given to show the absolute historical struggle man has faced in wrestling with God. Reminiscent of the epic wrestling Jacob did with God in Genesis 32 in which God changed his name to Israel which means ” wrestle with God” – but I again contend this is the beauty of Jesus Christ – that even though our mind tries to “wrestle with the idea of God” our Spirit filled heart says “He is your Abba Father”. (Romans 8:15) When man asks who are you? His answer short and absolute, “I Am Who I Am”. In that historic moment in Exodus with Moses, if God had started explaining who he is via mans standards…on this day he would still be explaining…and there wouldn’t be any end in sight.
Because mans ways and mans knowledge are not Gods wisdom. He calls our wisdom foolish.
1 Corinthians 3:19-20 “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.”
Alas does this mean we should abandon searching for who, what, and why Jesus Christ is – absolutely not – but search for him where he is always found in the Scripture first – so that man’s ideas do not have you seeking knowledge of the Lord over a relationship with the Lord.
THE AGE OF NON-REASON
I. Optimism Of Older Humanist Philosophers:
The unity and true knowledge of reality defined as starting from Man alone.
II. Shift in Modern Philosophy
A. Eighteenth century as the vital watershed.
B. Rousseau: ideas and influence.
1. Rousseau and autonomous freedom.
2. Personal freedom and social necessity clash in Rousseau.
3. Rousseau’s influence.
a) Robespierre and the ideology of the Terror.
b) Gauguin, natural freedom, and disillusionment.
C. DeSade: If nature is the absolute, cruelty equals non-cruelty.
D. Impossible tension between autonomous freedom and autonomous reasons conclusion that the universe and people are a part of the total cosmic machine.
E. Kant, Hegel, and Kierkegaard and their followers sought for a unity but they did not solve the problem.
1. After these men and their followers, there came an absolute break between the area of meaning and values, and the area of reason.
2. Now humanistic philosophy sees reason as always leading to pessimism; any hope of optimism lies in non-reason.
III. Existentialism and Non-Reason
A. French existentialism.
1. Total separation of reason and will: Sartre.
2. Not possible to live consistently with this position.
B. German existentialism.
1. Jaspers and the “final experience.ā
2. Heidegger and angst.
C. Influence of existentialism.
1. As a formal philosophy it is declining.
2. As a generalized attitude it dominates modern thought.
IV. Forms of Popularization of Nonrational Experience
A. Drug experience.
1. Aldous Huxley and “truth inside one’s head.ā
2. Influence of rock groups in spreading the drug culture; psychedelic rock.
B. Eastern religious experience: from the drug trip to the Eastern religious trip.
C. The occult as a basis for “hopeā in the area of non-reason.
V. Theological Liberalism and Existentialism
A. Preparation for theological existentialism.
1. Renaissance’s attempt to “synthesizeā Greek philosophers and Christianity; religious liberals’ attempt to “synthesizeā Enlightenment and Christianity.
2. Religious liberals denied supernatural but accepted reason.
3. Schweitzer’s demolition of liberal aim to separate the natural from the supernatural in the New Testament.
B. Theological existentialism.
1. Intellectual failure of rationalist theology opened door to theological existentialism.
2. Barth brought the existential methodology into theology.
a) Barth’s teaching led to theologians who said that the Bible is not true in the areas of science and history, but they nevertheless look for a religious experience from it.
b) For many adherents of this theology, the Bible does not give absolutes in regard to what is right or wrong in human behavior.
3. Theological existentialism as a cul-de-sac.
a) If Bible is divorced from its teaching concerning the cosmos and history, its values can’t be applied to a historic situation in either morals or law; theological pronouncements about morals or law are arbitrary.
b) No way to explain evil or distinguish good from evil. Therefore, these theologians are in same position as Hindu philosophers (as illustrated by Kali).
c) Tillich, prayer as reflection, and the deadness of “god.ā
d) Religious words used for manipulation of society.
VI. Conclusion
With what Christ and the Bible teach, Man can have life instead of death–in having knowledge that is more than finite Man can have from himself.
Healthy Mind Ministry 
The simplicity of Jesus is in the hearing. The complications occur in obedience and in doing.
Walking is even easier – the Spirit directs your steps…perhaps that is what’s hard for humans…the letting go in trust. The actual faith that God is in control and yes he does love you, he is not going to drop you. I find obeying Christ as easy as loving my children.
Of course, God makes man at least to the point where he can understand his Creator. This makes sense. No, you don’t need to have a rocket science degree in order to understand Jesus. Thus, so much to the glory of his appeal.
I believe even the need to make him complicated is man made. When we were younger, did you ever ponder the dynamics of the maternal bonding you experienced for your mother? Did you ever lay on the floor looking up at her, wondering why you loved her so much and didn’t have the urge to run away like a wild animal, instead you were drawn to her not only because of learned behavior but of a God Given indwelling knowledge that you belonged with her. That’s how I also feel about Christ, that we often overthink and over analyze that particular relationship, until we have humanized it into a cold clinical study of sorts.
There have been Christian bloggers I had to stop following because I couldn’t understand a word they were saying. Big words with run on sentences. Ideas and messages about Christ circling around each other.
You’re right. He isn’t complicated. His message isn’t only for the scripts to decipher. It’s easy, unfortunately, for believers to be tempted with knowledge. Using their knowledge with focus on their gift instead of using it as it should be used. For the glory of God, and to help others.
Sometimes people use words that are like a foreign language comparable to speaking in tongues without an interpreter at church. The only person that profits from that is the writers ego. It’s ok to be smart, just don’t let it become a stumbling block to yourself…arrogance is unattractive.
Jesus didn’t speak all puffed up and he didn’t use big words that others couldn’t understand, because Jesus was humble. His words reflected that. The Bible says out of the heart the mouth speaks. When I see someone going overboard trying to look intelligent, their heart isn’t speaking humility to me, it is speaking arrogant wisdom. And the Bible says mans knowledge is foolishness anyways….so why bother? Great comment btw!
Yes, you speak what I feel. š When I wrote a post, last year, about the love chapter puffed up referred to pride, I didn’t know that originally so I looked it up. God has been putting on my heart the fact that just because people have gifts doesn’t mean they use them the way He wants them to. I wrote a post that comes out on Friday about things that stumble me up as a believer, as we are to keep each other accountable as well. This is one of the things I struggle with especially when people give praise/testimony/thankfulness but the spotlight is very much so on them, and not the One who got them there.
I think pride is the beast we all deal with. It’s human nature, we want to be considered smart, pretty, I’ve even seen it in the form of helpful…like people doing things that are really good for others but doing it for the praise of others…I’m not special, I wrestle with it – especially when I was younger. Pride it’s a really hard one. It’s like is there such a thing as healthy pride? Or is it like the alcoholic saying I’ll only have one beer? Does pride serve any good purpose? I think on this a lot. I think replace “pride” with “purpose” and it might be more edifying.
Oh my goodness, so a couple days ago, I too was thinking about pride. Like..can we proud of God? Right? Or how does that work with our life? Cause pride does take a center point of focus on us. But with your word, purpose, I think puts the spotlight more on God. He gives us our purpose. He’s our reason behind everything. Our support system. š Admittedly, I understand what you’re saying. I struggle with wanting some form of attention/recognition. It doesn’t have to be much. I’ve noticed God gives me moments of encouragement and recognition during the times I need it (unsure of things), not when I desire it. And it’s quite humbling to know He’s in charge, and knows just what I need in each and every moment.
Meditate on how much God loves you and how and how perfectly he created you EXACTLY as he desired…it’s kinda awesome….to know inside and out – everything you are was wanted into existence….by God. He made Mount Everest and he formed the folds of your tiny baby ear .
Yes, definitely. The only thing I can boast of are my weaknesses š and God uses those weaknesses to speak to me, through you and others. Over the years, He’s humbled my heart and helped me work on this feeling. But I do still have it. Thank you for your encouragement! I love how our comments go from one topic to another. š ā¤
It’s coffee talk š I feel like I’m on the couch, with my feet tucked up under me and a big old cup of coffee in my hand. Your smitten here with me talking bout the Lord like two old friends ā¤ļø That’s how blogging has began to feel like for me. Feels good.
Same!! I don’t always have this friendships but I definitely am grateful for when God provides š
Meeee toooo šš» have a blessed evening we will talk soon I look forward to reading your post on Friday ā¤ļø
You too š yes, I definitely see us talking soon!
šā¤ļøāļøšš»
*sitting not smitten
Haha š I understand!
I like to say that knowing Jesus is simple, but not easy!
Some days are easier than others I think ā¤ļø
Yes they are! Some days circumstances blind, or dull, our vision.
Life can be overwhelming- thank God for grace šš»
That is one heck of a condensed outline, Tamara! But then it supports your point for precisely that reason.
Lol…yes!
Can you therefore, explain the Trinity …. simply.
One “What” – Three “Who’s” š
That explains nothing in actual fact.
Try again. And remember your Einstein meme, otherwise you come across as smarmy and somewhat disingenuous.
This is not a matter of me explaining it to you, it is a matter of the Holy Spirit revealing it to you. My explanation makes perfect sense – you are just incapable of receiving it.
No, it is just apologetic gobblygook I am afraid, and using the Einstein meme simply makes you look just a tad silly, I’m afraid.
I presume you are fully aware of the history of the Trinity, yes?
I have a formal education in Theology, but I also understand that proclaiming my own intelligence is vanity. Being prideful in intelligence is as you say “silly” it’s also a sin.
Excellent. Then you will be fully aware of the history of the Trinity, yes?
You and I should discuss the anti-Christ more than the Trinity. In your particular case it is far more relevant.
Once again, you are obfuscating.
Do you understand the history of the Trinity and how it came to be adopted?
I understand the Trinity. You however cannot. Because you have an issue blinding you. The spirit of the antichrist is on you. I pray for you.
So if you understand the history of the Trinity you will know its adoption arose out of the Council of Nicaea and this eventually saw its adoption and ratification in 381. I also presume, therefore you are fully aware this doctrine is man-made.
Do you not find this disconcerting? That such a crucial aspect of your faith is in fact , simply made up?
3. Matthew 28:19
āGo therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit . . .ā
Luke 3:22
āAnd the Holy Spirit descended upon Him [Jesus] in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, āYou are My [the Fatherās] beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.ā
John 14:26
āBut the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My [Jesusā] name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.ā
John 15:26
āWhen the Helper comes, whom I [Jesus] will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me . . .ā
Acts 2:33
āTherefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He [Jesus] has poured forth this which you both see and hear.ā
2 Corinthians 13:14
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.
Galatians 4:6
Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, āAbba! Father!ā
Ephesians 2:18
For through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.
1 Peter 1:2
According to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: may grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.
Hebrews 9:14
How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
Now…I have other work to attend to.
Do you feel all warm and tingly after quoting all that scripture?
This does not explain the Trinity, for goodness’ sake. I am almost surprised you didn’t include the Seven Dwarfs in you wonderful exposition.
It explains that the Godhead is Triune. And as mentioned earlier – you do not possess the ability to understand it. I will pray for the scales to be removed from your eyes, and that The Holy Spirit reveal the mystery unto you…until then I say goodbye.
No, it really doesn’t.
And this is why the council of Nicaea was convened – to establish the nature of the character Jesus the Nazarene.
If it was not clear-cut then everyone would have been happy little lambs.
In fact, even today this doctrine is rejected by a great many Christians.
In truth, the Church simply made Jesus a god. It is this straightforward.
That’s your opinion. When you stand before Christ explain to him how important your opinion and thoughts are….you are also incorrect in your points on The Counsel of Nicea. I will again bid you good day, I am not into debating over Apologetics as some are – I understand that your understanding is governed and there is nothing I can do for you other than pray for you, which I will. I do not run an Apologetics blog either. If I feel that your only purpose is to harass me I will simply block you.
Not opinion. I am merely reciting acknowledged historical fact.
Harass?
Good grief. You comment on Mel’s blog, make quite outrageous claims and then have the audacity to assert I am the Anti- Christi!
And now, presented with the facts pertaining to the the Trinity and the Council of Nicaea and its stated purpose you threaten to ban me!
How hypocritical.
1 John 4:2-3
By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world.
1 John 2:22
Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son.
The Epistle is anonymous for one thing, so how exactly do you establish the veracity of this verse? Or the entire Epistle for that matter?
Furthermore, it merely asserts that the biblical character Jesus is Yahweh’s son, not Yahweh.
And it was the church that invented your religion and established the canon for your bible and the doctrine, so don’t blame or accuse me, fr goodness sake.
maybe along with your studies you ought to take a course in religious history
They were the ones who made it up.
Tamara, let me be the first to tell you … quoting scripture to a non-believer has absolutely NO effect … contrary to what you’re taught that “The Word” is sharper than … blah-blah-blah. The ONLY way you might win over a non-believer is if they are truly interested in the fables of Christianity. I can assure you that Ark isn’t.
Jesus himself had many leave him at one point in his Ministry, he did not chase them and neither do I. I hope all will find their salvation in Jesus Christ but if the fundamentals aren’t there, the Holy Spirits revelation to you, there is nothing I can do for you or Ark but pray…that is all I can do. I’m not here to twist nonbelievers arms or trick you into believing half heartedly. A walk with the Lord doesn’t work that way.
Nan-
Fancy seeing you here. Here’s an observation and a suggestion.
I just stopped by for a quick visit, CS. Not my cup of tea … as you well know.
Sorry-
(Accidental send)
It’s best not to tell a believer that the strength, relevance, and accuracy of scripture has no bearing to the unbeliever. Of course it does. You folks are here trying to defend accidental creation. The word of God has a hold on you even if you deny it. The conscience is a killer.
Then again, if you recognize no authority higher than your own, then it stands to reason why someone would detest scripture. Maybe today or tomorrow you will still think it is ‘pointless’ to cite scripture, but there are seven days in the week; and since a year is a drop in the bucket in light of eternity, you will face the truth of God sooner or later.
May as well be sooner. Bowing the knee for the right reason has always been a wonderful thing. And in the spirit of this post, this is rather simple. Deep, but simple.
The word of God has a hold on you even if you deny it. And I might turn this around and say there is no god even if you deny it. š You know we’ll never see eye-to-eye, CS. Even in the “light of eternity.” But it’s been nice “seeing” you again. I’m off now to more relevant discussions.
You honestly cannot even prove anyone or anything exists outside your own mind…no one can.
I agree with you ColorStorm….the Word of God is extremely powerful. I find according the Bible all those that are Athiest, Agnostic etc are just actually operating under the Spirit of the anti-christ. In a round a bout way they are just “non practicing satanists” they worship someone just unaware at this present state of awareness…that will change. It is written…that is how we are to deal with them…and so I do.
@thewayonl
Truly the spirit of antichrist is prevalent in all disciplines. Marriage is perverted, science, nature, economics, the rewriting of history, on and on, and God’s word has always had the drop on the ignorance of man.
Btw, great quote by Tozer.
Basically anything contrary to Gods Word & will is operating under the spirit of the antichrist, that would be all religions and institutions that operate outside of the Gospel as preached in the Bible…I commented on Mel’s post the other day…and like a swarm they have descended on me today trying to pick some sort of debate.
I think that’s the hardest part for a spiritually blind individual, they can’t grasp faith. No shock though, the Bible says by faith we are saved. It’s a catch 22 for them…and it ever eludes their comprehension. This is proof of the accuracy of scripture – this phenomenon is mentioned repeatedly….seeing they cannot see, hearing they cannot hear.
Plus I’ve been doing some work in the Kingdom lately on spiritual warfare that always brings the afflicted out. I don’t believe in Bigfoot yet I have much better things to do than hang around Bigfoot hunter sites all day trying to convince them that Bigfoot doesn’t exist??? Do they ever even wonder why they are driven to do these things?
Yes, I would only differentiate between attributing all things to the antichrist as opposed to the nasty things we do without his help.
As far as scriptural things though, that bad bad spirit is certainly active and alive and well.
Your last sentence, yep, they are on a mission. To spread the poison of godlessness thinking they are doing humanity a favor.
The blind leading the blind kinda thing.
Agreed, it’s not all demons – our sin nature is the root cause of all of our problems.
Without wishing to intrude on what appears to be a private partyāthere seems to be a clash here, between someone who thinks for himself and someone who endlessly quotes scriptures?
Okaaaayyy … quoting lots shows how good we are at memorising (Islam too, there are folks there who can quote their entire Good Book verbatim, reading it from memory) and I daresay Buddhists and Hindus and things have their versions, equally as ‘valid’.
But for myself I reduce things to basics, and then invoke the one inviolable quote of the universeā
“Contradictions do not existāthey cannot”
ābecause if ever you find an apparent contradiction, look to the premises ‘cos one of them at least is false.
But check back through your scriptures, cleverer men than I will have anticipated most possibilities and I dare say they will have covered this point too …
The Bible is the only truth I have ever found in all the world. I want as much of it in me as I possibly can remember at all times. When things happen, scriptures that apply will instantly enter my mind, it is my light by which I make it through this dark world. It’s not mindlessly quoting scriptures, it’s being so absolutely saturated in them, they make me feel safe.
Such a feeling of safety perhaps can be equated to carrying a single birthday cake candle in a dense forest at night?
I’d feel safer myself with a floodlight and WW2 Russian sub-machinegun with spare mags …
But you’ve found your answers, so I am actually pleased for you.
For myself I illustrate my position with this quote from a Moslem, translated and made a bit more palatable by a Christian churchmanā
“Myself when young did eagerly frequent
Doctor and Saint, and heard great Argument
About it and about: but evermore
Came out by the same Door as in I went.”
ābeen there, done that.
You don’t even really know what door you came in by…but I will ascertain that I actually will agree with you. You will most definitely go back from whence you came…our theory on what awaits you will differ.
To me, the closest illustration I can provide, would be the analogy of you being born in a prison cell, your only companion your mother. No windows, no books, no tv…nothing. Everyday your mom would tell you stories and try to explain to you that there was indeed something beautiful outside those walls. She would tell you about trees, and skies, and oceans…at times you couldn’t believe her…because you had never seen it…one day the jail cell opens and they let you free…
Then you will know.
Even worse if they open that cell door, walk me a few steps and drop down on a rope through a trapdoor. Into oblivion.
If (I say again) if I had to have a belief I would choose reincarnation. Nothing unusual there, hundreds of millions do it already … and who is to say that on any grounds their beliefs are less valid than yours? It’s like graffitti on a blank wall, whoever gets their first …
If you were born into Hinduism of Buhhism or any other ‘godless’ religion* I offer that you would now be a devout ‘one of them’. No?
* Hardly godless. The Hindus have oodles more than you with your sole one. Three. Three in One?
Hindus believe that if your husband dies it’s ok to burn you along with him…even if you are alive….naahhhh. And Buddha although had a peaceful demeanor believes something even stranger than what I do….everything is nothing…plus in one of his teachings he says it’s ok to lie if you need to….that doesn’t sound right.
The Koran says Jesus was born of a virgin, they just deny that God would allow a prophet to die a shameful death on the cross…they insist a substitute hung in his place and Jesus ascended without death….again that heresy of the Gospel…
I hate when people answer the question of who was Jesus with he was a good teacher. Then when asked was he the son of God they say I don’t think that. Then he was at best an insane lying person and not a good teacher if you do not believe him to be the son of God…
For me, I believe that he is the Son of God, and the only way that leads to anywhere other than hell in the afterlife.
Christians believe that if someone doesn’t vociferously, and with displays of enthusiasm, embrace their doctrine it’s okay to publicly burn them at the stakeāafter a few good sessions with the rack and strappado and other good things.
Oops, what was that?
They don’t? But they used to, no?
And given the freedom to do so many would indeed do it again.
History proves that ‘might makes right’ ā which is one reason I (as pacifist) would take up arms if it ever came to that again.
Remember pleaseāthat although you personally may not, not all are like you.
This is now a splendid chance for a conditioned reflex to kick in on your part so I’ll do it for you:
“Oh no! Jesus is peace and sweetness and light, He would never do or allow anything like that!”
Too late, precedents setā Torquemada and Matthew Hopkins, anyone?
You won’t hear me say Jesus is just all sweet and nice and all that – he can be but Jesus Christ is just, holy, and righteous. I addressed what you wrote here in another comment.
The Catholic Church burned parents at the stake who taught their children to memorize the Lord’s Prayer…what spirit were they operating under? You don’t have to be a rocket scientists to know that is abominable to God. Thousands of Christians died just getting the Bible into English and printed….who were they killed by?….why none other than so called Christians under the Catholic papacy….again what spirit are they operating under? Not God.
Satans finger prints are always hate, death, suffering, stealing, destruction, confusion, fear
Gods fingerprints are always justice, love, healing, patience, unity, joy, understanding, righteousness
Humanity continually shows us why their hearts and minds are corrupted.
Ohhhhh no, Mr. Bill! The Christian God is #1 … none of that Hindu, Buddha, Taoism stuff. Even if you were born into one of these baaaad beliefs, you’d “Find God.” Yahweh, that is. And Yeshua turned Jesus. Most certainly. Without a doubt.
I have here at home a photo (taken by an impeccable source) of a Hindu widow standing by the funeral pyre of her hubby.
After photo was taken (sweet wee thing, smiling) she climbed up to join him and they went to their paradise together … the power of faith, no?
If you get closer to ‘science’ you’ll find that the beliefs that ‘nothing exists’ and ‘all is void’ is a lot closer to reality than many creditā
There was a faith healer from Deal
Said “I know that pain isn’t real,
Yet when I sit on a pin
And it punctures my skin
I dislike what I fancy I feel~!”
Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, Islamics, Jews, Sikhs, etc etc ad infinitem … why so many?
Don’t forget that each has an equal claim* to being the One, the unique, the only sole pathway to the Godhead. (Please, don’t just dismiss that nation. Think about it … I can wait.)
* And all other claims are Satanic falsehoods. All of them.
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: – Mathew 7:13….it is all covered. Literally. In Christianity Jesus says to take care of the widows with compassion. The Eskimos used to put them on a block of ice and shove them off to sea.
I like Jesus because he was absolutely contrary to what the Messiah was thought to be …they thought he’d come down and overthrow the government and reign in riches and glory. Nope a carpenters son from some of the least glamorous of places. He wasn’t spared suffering from God. He spent his early childhood fleeing being killed…and we know how he ended up beaten scourged and crucified. There was no self glory, or pride, or anything that was less than Godly about him. When he did miracles he didn’t want praise he told people to not report it to others, to hide it, lest they try to make him king….
Davids Psalm 22 written 1000 years before his coming prophesied the view Jesus had from the cross and why he did what he did….
He had twelve disciples all of which besides John died horrific deaths…but with absolute joy. No internet, planes or cars or trucks to carry the message of Christ existed…and yet here we are 2000 years later talking about a humble man born in Bethlehem…
Again I make this public statement:
Religion isn’t about God. It’s all about the acquisition of wealth and powerāGod is/gods are simply a tool used by the unscrupulous to fleece the uncritical.
Any takers this time, or does the truth hurt too much?
Any takers argus? Ha, as if you can goad scripture or the truth of God.
How’s this for crushing your ignorance of scripture:
–Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.–
Now then, dare you have any issue with good people who visit the fatherless? Widows? Do you not see how your ignorance of religion warps your understanding of scripture because you have laid markers which are out of bounds?
The atheist has no case against truth, and loses every time.
I feel sorry for them, their spirit is seeking truth so badly that’s why they are drawn to us as they are. But those scales on their eyes and that hardened heart just resist the Holy Spirit. I prayed for all three of them from today’s conversation.
Oh no … surely the guys who’d cheerfully con ‘the widow’s mite’ aren’t above conning others?
“Trust in God, he will provide” for some … via His collectors.
Collectors who in less enlightened times were somewhat heavy handed (but it was all for good causeāthem Popes and things needed a few luxuries to lighten their drab palaces.) (Thank God they all live in exemplary poverty these days, no?)
Or should that be “She will provide” if some of the earliest writings are still valid?
Come on CS, you can do better than that …
No argus, this is not your blog. You do not set the terms.
Now, in front of a world wide audience, defend the fact that religion, AS DEFINED BY SCRIPTURE, and pointed out by me in your stupid response, is evil.
Let’s see you embarrass yourself once more. Btw, an atheist has never won a single argument against the truth of scripture.
What are you, Ggiliah, that big ol oaf with the big mouth?
Btw, an atheist has never won a single argument against the truth of scripture.
You keep making this claim, CS, but admit it … you are speaking from a biased position. You have nothing to back up this statement except your personal belief. Now if your god were to thunder from heaven and shout “WRONG! You are WRONG, you nasty atheist!” … then you might have a case. š
You ascertain God need prove himself to you. The lifespan of a human adds up to about 2 hours of Gods time. You are but a mere vapor in the wind. He knows what happens the second life for you on earth is over, why would a Sovereign God, need to prove himself to you…he already knows the answer. You are the one that is in need of him – not vice verse.
Tick tick goes the clock.
It’s water nan. It’s water. Water shuts the mouths of pipsqueaks such as we.
And it thunders every day…………..to answer your request; you have only decided to tune out His voice.
The people who have blasphemed Gods true Gospel and used it for all the things God hates…pride, greed, vanity….they will be held accountable. They do not believe in God or they could never defile his holy name as they do …
They will be cast into the lake with all the rest of the evil in the world.
Yay, Lady! You may not believe it, but I’m all for that~!
Something I’ve noticed hereāendless references from (and recourses to) scripture.
It seems as if I’m discussing with a book, one interpreted (okay, compiled) by men long dead.
I may as well consult the I-Ching (and some of the answers I’d get would make better sense).
Now please, I’m no longer after enlightenmentāI found the Truth for myself, years agoāand I’d have absolutely no beef with Christianity if it weren’t so blasted arrogant. And mistaken …
Now tell me, what do you think of Mormons?
Mormons are going to hell.
“It seems as if Iām discussing with a book,” Elegantly put, Argus!
You will learn that which I speak to you is far more important than if I were to entertain you with my limited mind or understanding. In short my thoughts are not so important on the matters involving your salvation, but the Word is. I give you honest answers in truth, not my opinions…but Gods truth.
wrt “…Enter ye in at the strait gate …”
“Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul.”
See? I can do it too …
And I imagine that in 2000 years time they’ll still be on about the humble man born in Braunau …
Those words are just words – the Word of God is God.
Can’t disagree there …
You admitted “why none other than so called Christians” … which tells me that only some Christians are Christians, and other Christians can be both arrogant enough and judgemental enough to admit that only some (their own) are/is right?
This is getting complicated.
But let me help you here (I love being Devil’s Advocate sometimes) … you may now declare with justifiable pride that “only MY brand is the unique Truth!” and leave me no alternative but to believe you.
So … which brand is it?
Which franchise do you buy?
I’m not trying to perch you out on a limb here, with a sawāI just want to look it up.
So do all Christian franchises claim the monopoly, both on interpretations and Truth, whilst all the others are mistaken at best or Satanic falsities at worst?
Yours is unique, then. Please help me here …
I believe in Jesus Christ, Son of God, risen from the dead, seated on the right hand of God for all eternity ā¤ļø Nothing more, nothing less. Any sect of Christianity that adds other prophets, or disclaims the deity of Christ or says He was Michael…are deceived.
… they don’t think so. They say that you are the deceived one, not them.
Joseph Smith like Muhammad are false prophets. Spoken of in the Bible, there are false prophets currently mixing new age teachings into Christianity as well, producing what I call “Feel Good Gospel Inc” – I have written of it on the blog.
True Christianity is biblically based and it is promised that as a Christian you will be persecuted, hated, mocked, and treated like the enemy of the world…because you are.
True Christians do no bow a knee to false idols or false teachings. They do not desire riches, fame or anything other than to please the Lord and glorify God. Along with the Mormons, Muslims, Hindus, buddhists and atheist hell will be full of “false Christians”.
The devil believes in the Father, The Son & The Holy Spirit. He even has the Bible memorized. What makes him any different than most Christians today? Not much. He is hate, envy, lying, greed, murder, pride and all manner of maliciousness….
What makes us different than Satan? Our ability to repent,receive salvation, and our desire to glorify God.
So many people will be shocked to die and find themselves in hell with Satan – because most have made an idol out of themselves (they worship themselves putting their will above the Lords and obeying their carnal desires above the Lord’s commandments) or they worship a false Jesus. There is only one Jesus Christ and he is painted perfectly in the words of the Bible, anything that contradicts this image of his will, character or persona by adding or subtracting is a false Jesus. Mormons, Jehovahs Witness…all adhere to false doctrines.
I bet you feel so privileged to be able to walk around with that shiny gold halo over your head!
Before my walk with the Lord got serious I was demonic in nature. Proud, haughty, sexually immoral, driven by money – I committed every sin there is besides murder. Jesus saved me. The person I was is dead, the desire to do those things is gone…I smoked cigarettes for 20 years…he even delivered me from that. I see others struggling to quit…and he literally just took the desire away. I smoked one day…went to sleep…and woke up a non-smoker without even trying. Just like all the other stuff he took from me. I was saved when I was 14…used to do missionary work…was even involved in a marriage Ministry….I backslid badly…but God worked it out…my halo is badly bent if those exist…but God has released me.
Can I quote a bible verse?
James 3:13
Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behaviour his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.
Truth ā¤ļø
I’m wondering if you think your comments meet that standard.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
Yes. I don’t buy into new age Christianity that says all roads lead to heaven. Nor is it the Christians place to sit back and watch those doomed to hell fall…I have spoken to them the truth of God.
I’m not seeing any humility.
I have humility by expressing the fact that I am not, nor claim to be, of any value…I continually point to that which is all knowing and all important – God.
The Bible was given as an answer, when you ask me questions I do not dip into my own knowledge or that of any other fallible man (church fathers, Christian scholars etc) I point to what is inerrable – the Word of God.
And as assaultive that is to your need for validation on the part of your opinion as to me humility being based upon your opinion…I am doing only as I know is my duty as a Christian. Speaking the truth in love. It is love that says I do not want to see you suffer eternal damnation…the same love that hung Christ on the cross…love by human definition pales in comparison to the beautiful divine love of God….and without him…as they profess to be…they are incapable of having true love.
You are so right. Many people have declared themselves atheists, not because they do not believe in God, but because they are against organized religion. Let’s get rid of all the denominations, all the earthly denominational headquarters, all the creeds, all those who want to be heads over more than one congregation. Let us get rid of theatrics in worship and return to the simple worship of the New Testament where, instead of having fun, we develop a heart of gratitude and a heart for the lost who are still headed for hell. If we did that, we would be dynamic in our simplicity.
And more efficient for Christ! It was never about buildings or cathedrals…when Christ came he was born into simple humble beginnings…against the theory of the pious who believed he would be born into riches and earthly royalty…he started to humble to teach us, that it is not us…but the God in us that makes us great. He does not need our earthly buildings, he just wants us to be willing earthly vessels. To let our love in Christ unify us – not our denominational loyalty…let it be our love in Christ. Instead of being little tiny candle flames all over the world – unite our light into one enourmous, powerful FLOODLIGHT that drives out the darkness with more efficiency!
Your encouragement is greatly appreciated. Thank you a million times over.