Really? What if the people have spent their lives studying the Bible? I think there is great benefit in learning as much as we can about the Bible rather than simply relying on our own ability to comprehend the message, even if we have a close relationship with the Holy Spirit. Of course, it makes sense that you would reject Augustine and C.S. Lewis' writings because they are orthodox Christians (believe in the Trinity).
I think you know full well that I have demolished any concept that the Trinity is Biblical. If you want to continue such a point, start another forum, please. I don't reject their writings, but I do line them up by Scripture, not by what man has called 'orthodox' Christianity. The one who makes Christian is Jesus. Only through the Bible will we find a true account of him. If someone's writings don't line up with Scripture, I don't care if they are the most decorated men in history, I don't give a damn over what they say. When replying to my posts, I would appreciate it if you would have the courage to tackle what I say in full. Instead of just taking one sentence, what about you take the whole paragraph?!
God calls evil what it is - lesser good. Evil was not part of creation. Evil is not a separate force - it is like cold, which is an absence of heat. Cars do not have two equal parts in the engine - one broken and one not broken. Evil is reliant on good to exist - Good exists alone.
I am not even going to get into this.
Well, Augustine and Lewis based what they wrote about on scripture - to claim otherwise is ignorant. There theology is so foundational within Christianity that you probably share many of their beliefs and do not even know it.
Oh really? So they weren't human and prone to error!!!!!!!! God help us! God forbid that we EVER take a man's word as gospel without lining it up with Scripture! I KNOW what I believe, and I know where I stand. I stand fully on Scripture alone. I have not based any doctrine on something man has created, even though some seem to think that is ok!
Yep! That is the Good News! As far as my soul being safe....I am in a saving relationship with Jesus, which is rebuilding my heart into the heart it was originally created to be. If I continue to submit my will to Christ's sanctification, He will finish the good work of my redemption. I guess I really do not think of it as being 'safe' - it is sort of like being in a good marriage - are you really safe from divorce?
Doing whatever I want means following my ego, which leads to Hell. Submitting my will to Christ's means redemption. We are called to practice our sanctification by loving God and our neighbor - it's the whole point of Christianity.
George W. Bush is the only leader I know foolish enough to declare victory before finishing a war. Jesus has restored a relationship with us and now we need to submit to His sanctification. The only war is with our false selves.
My dear friend, I would love to see what would happen if YOU were president of the USA. Perhaps you would view things differently! In case you are wondering, if we have been sanctified by Jesus' blood, how can we be wicked?! Those darts are not from us, it from the wicked, or as the version you use puts it, the wicked ONE! I think that is referring to Satan!
1. We are still prone to selfishness
2. Satan worship is following demonic examples - worship of the ego. If you do not believe me, ask any Satanist.
3. Yep. The 80s were filled with claims of Satan worship - 99% turned out to be false. Google 'satanic scare 80s'
4. Your ego is what is going to damn you....not any demon. Even Satan knows that - his ego damned him.
Imaginary? Ha! The false self is hardly imaginary! Your false self or ego is fully capable of driving you right off a cliff. If you really need to believe that a demon is required to tempt your false self, do what works for you. The fact is, hormones and a pretty face needs no encouragement for most.
Look here. This forum is about the death penalty. If you want to have a discussion over whether Satan is alive and active in today's world, start the forum. I am not going to say anymore, as I cannot see the point. You can go on believing that there is only yourself to worry about, that is probably true. At the moment, I don't think Satan is that worried about you. He's probably killing himself laughing over the fact that you think HE is no longer active!
Yep. Paul is talking about evil. The world is following the doctrine of demons instead of submitting to Christ - collectively denying what they were created to do and choosing to worship the ego. So how do we battle against this doctrine? Submit to Christ and receive His justification; receive and practice His sanctification by practicing love. Love is the only way to prevail against the lack of love.
Oh, yes. I can just see the beautiful logic! Some foreign army marches onto Australia's shores intent on destroying and killing, and I just show them love by letting them do whatever they wish to me and my country! God! How can we get so warped in our thinking?! If an enemy ever sets foot in my country, I WILL show love. I'LL SHOW IT TO MY COUNTRYMEN BY PUTTING MY LIFE ON THE LINE FOR THEM AND THEIR FREEDOM!
Oh boy...I've seen this verse butchered in my day, but this is a new low.....
Jesus is reassuring His disciples that His Church will never be extinguished from the Earth. That is it. Jesus spends quite a bit of time reassuring His disciples because they had a lot to fear being His followers in those days.
You seem to have missed the part about the Gates of Hell. I guess you think that GATES WALK! I don't think Jesus would have said 'gates' of hell if he was talking about a passive Christianity! GATES DON'T COME TO YOU, YOU GO TO THEM!
Jesus was talking to Jews who believed they were members of God's Chosen People, by birth. He was letting them know that the traditions of their families was not going to restore them to a relationship with God - they needed to love. Hyperbole was a common form of speak during Jesus's day - He makes use of it here.
Really? Well I can't see the hyperbole?! It might not be the case in every instance, but all the same, there will be division, and it will be in the most foundational blocks of society! Back to the death penalty. If you want to continue this discussion, start it in another forum.
I think this objection has already been answered. This one hasn't: WHY WOULD JESUS TELL HIS DISCIPLES TO BUY A SWORD?
I agree with you. I get sick of hearing people cry about 'mercy' for the killer, and seemingly forget about mercy for the murdered. Issues are being made about the 70x7. Ummm, please, let's have logic here. Does that mean that someone can go about murdering and we just keep forgiving? I SEVERELY DOUBT THAT! I don't think Jesus was saying that we should only forgive 490 times, but I think Jesus was saying that if our brother offends us and asks for forgiveness, give it to him. I don't think he was referring to murder and stealing! Responsibility for actions is a must. Without it we fall apart, as is being so readily demonstrated for us in today's world.