Recent content by St. SteVen

St. SteVen said: - Will the Lord who taught us to love our enemies incinerate his? The reason that bothers me is that it means God is holding us to a higher standard than he holds himself. We are required to forgive others whether they want our forgiveness or not. [

Sigh More like, you misunderstood him. The proof, as they say, is in the pudding. How is it that we are saved from sin? It seems that sin is still very much a problem. [

Even very by-the-book Christians are modifying their views on hell, or the afterlife. As the previous trend for fire-and-brimstone preaching has all but gone the way of the dinosaur. Leaning toward a more personalized stance on "eternal separation from God". (whatever that means to you) -...

What become of love and mercy? Again, Jesus taught us to love our enemies. What should he do with His? [

I think we sin in ways we don't even realize. All the time. Which doesn't mean that we should surrender to it. Matthew 22:37-39 NIV Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment...

See the OP. Thanks. What really matters? [

St. SteVen said: If the correct answer is, "Jesus died to save us from the wrath of God.", then essentially... Jesus died to save us from God. Otherwise we're toast. - LOL Everyone seems to assume that on "judgement" day the correction will outweigh the rewards. In fact...

Has that happened? How is it that we are saved from sin? It seems that sin is still very much a problem. [

Chapter and verse please. (not that it matters) Only if you believe that God is a cosmic tyrant. That seems out of character to me. Jesus taught us that it is godly behavior to love our enemies. Does He hold himself to a lower standard? My expectation for the end of all things is an...

Yes. A very sad commentary on the church that marches behind the flag of TRUTH. I wish that they were more focused on the testimonies of those who have had a life-changing encounter with God. [

Theistic Agnosticism - The honesty to admit we don't know everything This term came up in a discussion over coffee. I thought it was worth discussing further. Being raised in the church, I was held in a bubble of "we have all the answers." Now that I am an adult, I realize the reason for...

Interesting to me that the "we have all the answers" position sets the church up for defectors. When you are told that it is 100 percent, when you learn even one thing that isn't... (poof) The deep feeling of betrayal creates a level of bitterness and anger against the church... or in many...

Yes. If people had questions, we were ready with answers. But I was never big on arm-twisting, or corner people theological. There's something to that. But the main reason was to equip the saints for the work of the ministry. Within two years a converted person should be a "soul-winner"...

Probably what bothers me the most is the smug attitude that comes with thinking you have all the answers. And the accompanying view toward "the lost". A superiority complex. Accept my message or I will shake the dust off my shoes as I walk away. (you're toast) [

Yes, I have done door-to-door evangelism. Here in America and in Canada and England on a summer missions trip. In fact I was celebrated as the first to get a conversion on that missions trip. It was a divine encounter at a bus stop. Here in America our door-to-door campaign at an apartment...