A question for Christians

[Chloe'sMom]

Exactly.

Also, the bible was written by men. And the New Testament was written more than 50 years after Jesus' death by men who didn't even know Him.

I do not take the bible literally.

I also do not take the bible literally - being a Catholic it's okay. There are to many inconsistencies in the New Testment to take it litterally. Try reading the reserection in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The story changes.

~Amanda

 

[Chloe'sMom]

Jesus has already passed judgement:

John 14:6

6Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Anyone who claims to know what's in your heart is not worth your time. However, preaching the gospel is not judging. It's informing.

Interesting that so many people feel judged by your information.

~Amanda

 

[JoeEpcotRocks]

True, but it doesn't give anyone the right to condemn others for their choice. What happens after this life is over is more about what God thinks than what we think.

I condemn no one.

God told us what to do re salavation. Everyone has a choice to make.

 

[MzDiz]

I condemn no one.

God told us what to do re salavation. Everyone has a choice to make.

Not the jungle people. They were never given options. What about the jungle people?

 

[Fitswimmer]

I condemn no one.

God told us what to do re salavation. Everyone has a choice to make.

can I ask you how you know what is in the mind of God?

 

[JoeEpcotRocks]

I've been preached to and preached at-and I'm sorry to disagree but it is judging. Any time a HUMAN being is telling someone else that they are definately going to Hell, that's a judgement. It's also giving power to Man that is reserved for God.

We know what is written in the Bible, but it is utter arrogance on our part to think that we know the mind of God.

He gave us His thoughts in His Word, the Bible.

 

[Fitswimmer]

He gave us His thoughts in His Word, the Bible.

God stopped thinking after the Bible was written? boy, I sure hope not!

 

[salmoneous]

I also do not take the bible literally

It's easy to spot the folks who take the Bible literally. They are the ones with the plucked out right eyes and chopped off right hands. The rest of Christianity understands not to take it literally.

 

[Chloe'sMom]

It's easy to spot the folks who take the Bible literally. They are the ones with the plucked out right eyes and chopped off right hands. The rest of Christianity understands not to take it literally.

In a way I am almost jealous of those who have nothing but complete faith and don't question anything in regards to religion. In a way it must be comforting. But the Lord gave me free will and he also gave me a questionable mind. There are to many inconsistencies in the New Testment to take it literally, and I cannot ignore the hand that man played in the development of the bible. Anyone who can just ignore that I guess is either blessed with an infinite amount of faith or has been cursed with a comprehension problem.

I Thank God that in my everyday life I am not made to sit at a table with those who believe that the Bible is the absolute Word of God.

~Amanda

 

[legalsea]

Anyone who claims to know what's in your heart is not worth your time. However, preaching the gospel is not judging. It's informing.

Reminds me of when I was mugged. The mugger informed me that he was not robbing me of my money, but re-distributing wealth.

All I can say is, when people preach to me about my shortcomings regarding knowing God and getting into Heaven, it always strikes me as being a bit judgmental. They truly are informing me that I am going to Hell unless I agree with their interpretation.

As for the people in the jungle, I believe that if they ate a missionary they will be able to get in Heaven. Filled with goodness, so to speak.

 

[JoeEpcotRocks]

God stopped thinking after the Bible was written? boy, I sure hope not!

Regarding salvation --- YES!!!

 

[goofygirl]

I'm not a Bible literalist either. I don't believe in a literal Heaven and St. Peter (or God?) at the gate, and that you need to do X, Y and Z to get in.

Hypothetically, if there was a Heaven and God asked me that question I'd just say that I've led a good life and did my best to live morally.

 

[Fitswimmer]

Regarding salvation --- YES!!!

And you know this because???

 

[JoeEpcotRocks]

And you know this because???

Because God is not a liar.

 

[Fitswimmer]

Because God is not a liar.

but how do you KNOW that the Bible was God's last thought on the subject??

I KNOW two things: One, there is a God. Two, I'm not Him.

I can't think for Him, I can't choose for Him and I can't speak for Him. All I can do is live my life the best I can in service to Him.

 

[cteddiesgirl]

Regarding salvation --- YES!!!

And He can never change His mind?


Just like we were given free will by Him, I believe that He also has free will. Meaning, if we can change our minds about things without telling anyone, I think He can too.

 

[JoeEpcotRocks]

but how do you KNOW that the Bible was God's last thought on the subject??

I KNOW two things: One, there is a God. Two, I'm not Him.

I can't think for Him, I can't choose for Him and I can't speak for Him. All I can do is live my life the best I can in service to Him.

I will follow what God said in His Word the best that I can, and know that I am saved soley thru my acceptance of Jesus Chirst, His Son, who died for all sin.

God did say to speak for Him -- to preach the Gospel (the good news) of salvation thru His Son, Jesus.

 

[Laura]

And He can never change His mind?

Well, according to Christian theology, God has changed his mind in the past. The Jews had a covenant, and then God decided to erase that covenant when he sent Jesus. (Never mind the fact that God said the covenant was everlasting.)

 

[Chloe'sMom]

Regarding salvation --- YES!!!

How then do you discount the visions people have had in regards to the Lord since the bible was written? Visions that the Vatican has deemed to have actually happened. Do you ignore those completely?

~Amanda

 

[jimmiej]

But what is Paul saying here? Throughout the opening chapters of Romans, Paul is laying the groundwork that all have sinned and fall short of God - both the Jew and the Gentile. To me, 1:18-20 isn't about people who haven't heard of Jesus, but about people who aren't aware of "the Law". The fact that they don't know the law is no excuse - they are still sinners and in need God's Grace. Go back and read the first few chapets of Romans (never a bad thing) and see if you don't agree...

From The Adam Clarke Commentary

Verse 19. That which may be known of God
Dr. Taylor paraphrases this and the following verse thus: "Although the Gentiles had no written revelation, yet what may be known of God is every where manifest among them, God having made a clear discovery of himself to them. For his being and perfections, invisible to our bodily eyes, have been, ever since the creation of the world, evidently to be seen, if attentively considered, in the visible beauty, order, and operations observable in the constitution and parts of the universe; especially his eternal power and universal dominion and providence: so that they cannot plead ignorance in excuse of their idolatry and wickedness."

Verse 20. The invisible things of him
His invisible perfections are manifested by his visible works, and may be apprehended by what he has made; their immensity showing his omnipotence, their vast variety and contrivance, his omniscience; and their adaptation to the most beneficent purposes, his infinite goodness and philanthropy.


From John Wesley's Explanatory Notes
on the Whole Bible

Verse 19. For what is to be known of God - Those great principles which are indispensably necessary to be known. Is manifest in them; for God hath showed it to them - By the light which enlightens every man that cometh into the world.

Verse 20. For those things of him which are invisible, are seen - By the eye of the mind. Being understood - They are seen by them, and them only, who use their understanding