Jesus wasn't resurrected

[Fitswimmer]

To those of you who think its rude to mention eternal judgement. Your argument is with God, not me. I only stated what the Bible says. Jesus is the ONLY way to the Father. I never said you needed to turn or burn. But the truth is that the way is narrow not broad.

I am sorry but you will not hear me say that there are several paths to God or profess this buffet style spirtuality that many people have today. I, along with Paul proclaim that I am not ashamed of the Gospel. I wont present a milque toast version of Christianity.

I do not condemn or judge anyone. God can use everyone on this thread and board if He so chooses. God can draw you near to Him. You are all precious to Him and he desires to give you not only life BUT abundant life. But also know that God is a just and merciful God. The two go hand in had. I hope each one of you will come to a place where teh Holy Spirit will condition your heart to receive the Lord & Savior Jesus Christ.

I'm sorry, but you still don't see it. By saying that Jesus is the ONLY way and referencing the Bible as the source you are condemning anyone who doesn't accept that. You were not tasked with that assignment. You might think that you aren't judging but you are. You are also condemning other Christians who don't feel the way you do. YOU are deciding what mercy will be shown and to whom. God might have other plans, has that ever occured to you??

I may be in for quite a surprise at the end of my life, but I'm willing to accept that. I'm also willing to allow others to make their own choices. So was God, by the way-or we wouldn't have free will now would we??

 

[jimmiej]

I'm sorry, but you still don't see it. By saying that Jesus is the ONLY way and referencing the Bible as the source you are condemning anyone who doesn't accept that. You were not tasked with that assignment. You might think that you aren't judging but you are. You are also condemning other Christians who don't feel the way you do. YOU are deciding what mercy will be shown and to whom. God might have other plans, has that ever occured to you??

I may be in for quite a surprise at the end of my life, but I'm willing to accept that. I'm also willing to allow others to make their own choices. So was God, by the way-or we wouldn't have free will now would we??

I gotta disagree with some of this. aquinas doesn't have the power to condemn anyone. No matter what he/she says, no one is condemned by their words. It might make me feel bad or even angry, but I can only be condemned by God. It may be considered rude by some, but this is an open forum with rules in place to take care of problems. Others have the same opportunity to disagree and/or give other viewpoints. With all due respect, I think you're taking this a bit too far.

 

[LuvDuke]

I'm sorry, but you still don't see it. By saying that Jesus is the ONLY way and referencing the Bible as the source you are condemning anyone who doesn't accept that. You were not tasked with that assignment. You might think that you aren't judging but you are. You are also condemning other Christians who don't feel the way you do. YOU are deciding what mercy will be shown and to whom. God might have other plans, has that ever occured to you??

I may be in for quite a surprise at the end of my life, but I'm willing to accept that. I'm also willing to allow others to make their own choices. So was God, by the way-or we wouldn't have free will now would we??

I think you're looking at this from a Catholic pov which says you get into Heaven through good works vs a Protestant pov which says you get into Heaven "by faith alone". In other words, "once saved, always saved".

I didn't realize that until we moved to Texas and we were surrounded by S. Baptists and Baptists who saw things in a whole different light than what we've been taught. I even found out many didn't consider Catholics Christians. Came as a hell of a surprise to me.

 

[cardaway]

yeah and I'm not real proud of it. When I read things they didn't strike me as rude because I wasn't looking at them from the perspective of a non-christian. I would just kind of gloss over it. Since you've made me more aware, I try to put myself in the shoes of someone who doesn't believe to see how statements would read from that perspective.

No offense, but some of them should read as rude no matter what you believe. For example, implying that people here are Pharisees is just one more to add to the list.

And now you will see people hide behind the bible and claim they are only quoting scripture. If somebody like myself play the same game they could find a book with a quote they wanted to use to fit what they wanted to say.There are enough books in the world to cover almost any subejct people could discuss, but I don't think that's the way people should work.

People choose what to include in their posts, and they shouldn't and claim they were only quoting other texts when called on them. People own their posts including any quotes they choose to include in them.

 

[JoeEpcotRocks]

Yes He did. But He wants us to share our faith from a place of love, not from a place of judgment. The Lord is the Judge, not us. We are called by Jesus to share our faith, but to share it with respect and love.

Well, certainly.

 

[Fitswimmer]

I gotta disagree with some of this. aquinas doesn't have the power to condemn anyone. No matter what he/she says, no one is condemned by their words. It might make me feel bad or even angry, but I can only be condemned by God. It may be considered rude by some, but this is an open forum with rules in place to take care of problems. Others have the same opportunity to disagree and/or give other viewpoints. With all due respect, I think you're taking this a bit too far.

I'm not just looking at the words, but on the inference behind them. Just because the exact words aren't there, doesn't mean that the judgement isn't behind it. Aquinas doesn't say "I believe that Jesus is the only way and I believe I will be condemned if I don't believe that." That I would have no issue with. His post allows for no other possibility and while that may be what many of us have come to believe and chosen for ourselves, we still must acknowledge that we are not God and cannot possibly know the mind of God. I don't believe that we can put God in a human sized box and know what God will do.

 

[JoeEpcotRocks]

Not so fast Mr. Cameron

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/26/AR2007022600442.html?nav=rss_nation

A hyperbolic publicity stunt

 

[Fitswimmer]

Not so fast Mr. Cameron

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/26/AR2007022600442.html?nav=rss_nation

A hyperbolic publicity stunt

kind of what I expected. Experts on one side saying "it's real", experts on the another side saying "it is not".

 

[aquinas]

I'm sorry, but you still don't see it. By saying that Jesus is the ONLY way and referencing the Bible as the source you are condemning anyone who doesn't accept that. You were not tasked with that assignment. You might think that you aren't judging but you are. You are also condemning other Christians who don't feel the way you do. YOU are deciding what mercy will be shown and to whom. God might have other plans, has that ever occured to you??

I may be in for quite a surprise at the end of my life, but I'm willing to accept that. I'm also willing to allow others to make their own choices. So was God, by the way-or we wouldn't have free will now would we??

So were Paul and the apostles condemning people when they preached that Jesus was the ONLY way? Was Jesus condemning when He said that He is the ONLY way to the Father?

I am not deciding anything nor do I have the power to wield God's mercy and grace. I am willing to let others make their own choices also but they need to be aware of the end path of those choices. I can not choose for them. I am only commanded to present the Gospel. The choice is left up to God and the individual.

 

[JoeEpcotRocks]

kind of what I expected. Experts on one side saying "it's real", experts on the another side saying "it is not".

What experts are saying it's real? Certainly none in the WA Post article.

 

[JoeEpcotRocks]

So were Paul and the apostles condemning people when they preached that Jesus was the ONLY way? Was Jesus condemning when He said that He is the ONLY way to the Father?

I am not deciding anything nor do I have the power to wield God's mercy and grace. I am willing to let others make their own choices also but they need to be aware of the end path of those choices. I can not choose for them. I am only commanded to present the Gospel. The choice is left up to God and the individual.

Very well said!

 

[Fitswimmer]

What experts are saying it's real? Certainly none in the WA Post article.

The experts that are going to be on the show are saying it's real, the Post guys are saying it's not.

 

[aquinas]

No offense, but some of them should read as rude no matter what you believe. For example, implying that people here are Pharisees is just one more to add to the list.

And now you will see people hide behind the bible and claim they are only quoting scripture. If somebody like myself play the same game they could find a book with a quote they wanted to use to fit what they wanted to say.There are enough books in the world to cover almost any subejct people could discuss, but I don't think that's the way people should work.

People choose what to include in their posts, and they shouldn't and claim they were only quoting other texts when called on them. People own their posts including any quotes they choose to include in them.

You see many things within the christian faith as rude. You seem to look to be offended. No one implied the people posting on this thread were Pharisees. It was a statement to show where Jesus wasnt always this meek, mild, and ultra tolerant hippie that always spoke softly and never said anything to offend others.

You revel to come into to Christian based threads and take potshots and constantly cry wolf about how rude everyone is. BUT when you get called an anti-semite on a thread about Israel then you seem to take great offense to that but have no problems placing labels on Christians.

The message of the cross is offensive and is a stumbling block to many.

I would suggest that you stop looking to be offended at every turn especially at statements that were far from that intent. You are reaching.

Again, I would implore you to check out Mars Hill Church in your area and hear Mark Driscoll preach.

 

[ead79]

IA. But your post reminds me of the incident when Jesus called a group of Pharisees a "brood of vipers." Jesus wasn't always PC.

I agree that Jesus wasn't always PC. But I do believe that everything He said came from a place of love since God is Love. Jesus, being God incarnate, has the authority to judge, but I do not believe that we as individual believers have judgment authority. I personally believe that Jesus is THE Way, but that doesn't mean that I can't love and treat with respect those that do not believe the same way I do. Loving others doesn't mean you have to agree with everything they say or do. My chief concern is to be more like Christ every day. There is a way to hold fast to your beliefs without losing sight of the massiveness of Jesus' love for each and every one of us. "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (Matt. 5:16 NIV)

 

[JoeEpcotRocks]

The experts that are going to be on the show are saying it's real, the Post guys are saying it's not.

Ok

Should be interesting!

 

[Fitswimmer]

So were Paul and the apostles condemning people when they preached that Jesus was the ONLY way? Was Jesus condemning when He said that He is the ONLY way to the Father?

I am not deciding anything nor do I have the power to wield God's mercy and grace. I am willing to let others make their own choices also but they need to be aware of the end path of those choices. I can not choose for them. I am only commanded to present the Gospel. The choice is left up to God and the individual.

Look, I'm not trying to pick on you. I'm just trying to suggest that you read your posts from the perspective of a non-Christian and think about how they might perceive them. Presenting the Gospel is important to you and I understand that. But HOW you present it is important as well. If your message is valuable, isn't it worth taking the time to present it in the best possible way?

 

[JoyG]

I agree that Jesus wasn't always PC. But I do believe that everything He said came from a place of love since God is Love. Jesus, being God incarnate, has the authority to judge, but I do not believe that we as individual believers have judgment authority. I personally believe that Jesus is THE Way, but that doesn't mean that I can't love and treat with respect those that do not believe the same way I do. Loving others doesn't mean you have to agree with everything they say or do. My chief concern is to be more like Christ every day. There is a way to hold fast to your beliefs without losing sight of the massiveness of Jesus' love for each and every one of us. "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (Matt. 5:16 NIV)

Elizabeth, I love what you're saying...preach it girlfriend!

I am not interested in getting into a debate with other christians. Just as I'm not interested in debating non christians. As a matter of fact, the Bible warns us against vain arguements, useless debates.

When I'm on these threads I'm trying to share my views and listen to where others are coming from.

I haven't met many christians on these threads that I disagree with theologically...but there are some that I disagree with their delivery.

If christians were doctors, some of us would have poor bedside manner. I know I can be guilty of that too.

I think we should try to remember if we don't love the person we're talking to...whatever we say to them is useless. As christians we're called to love everyone...so in some of our replies on these threads, i wonder to myself...where is the love?

 

[JoyG]

I think a lot of people have an issue with the whole idea of the Rapture. I mean, suddenly millions of people will just disappear? Erm... it boggles the mind. (Yes, I know... god is infinite.)

Of course, since I do not feel that only Christianity is valid, I have an issue with the assumption that only Christians will live in heaven and everyone else will be left behind on earth to go to heck with the Anti-Christ.

First, I do not believe God is that nasty. Second, I do not buy the fact that the earth will be cleared and then god will set everyone back up on earth again to start over. Third, I do not believe in Creationism, so how could I believe that god would just clear off the earth like that? Not to say anything about anyone's Faith, but to *me* it is illogical and smacks of fear-mongering. (Yes, I know it is in the Bible... it still feels that way to me.)

Yes, I understand that. I think the "rapture" is a hard concept for a lot of people to accept, non christians and many christians alike.

The only point I was hoping to make is that the rapture in some form is a part of the doctrine of most christian faiths that I know of. I don't think people realize that.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

If christians were doctors, some of us would have poor bedside manner.

I'm just an innocent bystander on this thread, but this line made me . You have a way with words, Joy.

 

[magicmato]

Yes, I understand that. I think the "rapture" is a hard concept for a lot of people to accept, non christians and many christians alike.

The only point I was hoping to make is that the rapture in some form is a part of the doctrine of most christian faiths that I know of. I don't think people realize that.

I get your point. I guess i just have a hard time with the concept. I mean, I know many who speak about the Rapture and how they will be taken up to Heaven and leave the earth, yet who state there can be no such thing as ghosts. To me, they are both magical, paranormal phenomena and to say one is fact and one cannot be just is odd to me.

I also wonder how we can know exactly what the Rapture will be. I mean, isn't a lot of the Bible allegory and metaphor?