Jesus wasn't resurrected

[Buckalew11]

I believe in a loving and forgiving God. I believe that what we do in our earthly existence determines our place on the "other side". I don't believe in hell or the devil. I embrace what I find good and positive from many different faiths. I have found nothing in all my reading and searching that convinces me that people who are not Christians cannot be with God. I believe that I will see Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims and Christians (as well as those who participate in other God loving religions and those who don't follow any particular religion) when I leave this world for the afterlife. I believe God has sent many messengers to teach people in ways that they would embrace and understand.

I think that answers my question about Jesus also. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

 

[cardaway]

I believe in a loving and forgiving God. I believe that what we do in our earthly existence determines our place on the "other side". I don't believe in hell or the devil. I embrace what I find good and positive from many different faiths. I have found nothing in all my reading and searching that convinces me that people who are not Christians cannot be with God. I believe that I will see Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims and Christians (as well as those who participate in other God loving religions and those who don't follow any particular religion) when I leave this world for the afterlife. I believe God has sent many messengers to teach people in ways that they would embrace and understand.

But can you back that up with scripture?

Just kidding Pretty much what I believe as well.

 

[mickeyfan2]

I believe in a loving and forgiving God. I believe that what we do in our earthly existence determines our place on the "other side". I don't believe in hell or the devil. I embrace what I find good and positive from many different faiths. I have found nothing in all my reading and searching that convinces me that people who are not Christians cannot be with God. I believe that I will see Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims and Christians (as well as those who participate in other God loving religions and those who don't follow any particular religion) when I leave this world for the afterlife. I believe God has sent many messengers to teach people in ways that they would embrace and understand.

I believe this too.

 

[Fitswimmer]

I believe in a loving and forgiving God. I believe that what we do in our earthly existence determines our place on the "other side". I don't believe in hell or the devil. I embrace what I find good and positive from many different faiths. I have found nothing in all my reading and searching that convinces me that people who are not Christians cannot be with God. I believe that I will see Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims and Christians (as well as those who participate in other God loving religions and those who don't follow any particular religion) when I leave this world for the afterlife. I believe God has sent many messengers to teach people in ways that they would embrace and understand.

I'm with you for the most part. The only place I differ is that I do believe that there is an afterlife without God. Whether it's eternal damnation or not, that's not my area. I just can't believe that those who abuse children, who murder with impunity, who choose to do cruel and evil things to other people or animals can just go directly to be with God when they die. I think there is some sort of purification period between death and unification with God. But, that's just me.

 

[salmoneous]

Ah, yes. A reminder from from the political left that if you don't believe like them, you're a mind-numbed robot.

That's an awful broad brush you are using there.

I think I'm going to add Ephesians 4:29-32 to a signiture if I can ever figure out how to set one up.....

 

[JoeEpcotRocks]

But can you back that up with scripture?

Just kidding Pretty much what I believe as well.

Amazing how many people "know" God without knowing His Word.

Many seem to have decided that God said, "Ignore my Son, Jesus, and spin the big "pick a faith" wheel" and "as long as you lead a 'good' life, however you choose to define it you'll have eteranal life."

Of course, this is the anti-thesis of Christianity.

 

[salmoneous]

But, He taught scripture from what christians know as the OT. So, while I can believe He was a good man for holdings those beliefs and taching those OT things, it wasn't anything different from what scripture was already teaching.

Here I would disagree with you. I think Jesus' teachingS are significantly different from just saying what is in the OT.

Take this passage for instance where he is specifically moving away from OT teachings...

38"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.'[a] 39But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

 

[KikiFan]

I believe in a loving and forgiving God. I believe that what we do in our earthly existence determines our place on the "other side". I don't believe in hell or the devil. I embrace what I find good and positive from many different faiths. I have found nothing in all my reading and searching that convinces me that people who are not Christians cannot be with God. I believe that I will see Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims and Christians (as well as those who participate in other God loving religions and those who don't follow any particular religion) when I leave this world for the afterlife. I believe God has sent many messengers to teach people in ways that they would embrace and understand.

Beautiful! I agree 100%

 

[Fitswimmer]

Amazing how many people "know" God without knowing His Word.

Many seem to have decided that God said, "Ignore my Son, Jesus, and spin the big "pick a faith" wheel" and "as long as you lead a 'good' life, however you choose to define it you'll have eteranal life."

Of course, this is the anti-thesis of Christianity.

jaimee1024 made a statement regarding a personal belief about heaven. I would love to see the same thing. To me, it's a wish. I would love to see the diversity in heaven that I see on the earth. I've said numerous times that I'm not God and I can't make a decision for Him about who will be a part of heaven and who won't. I can wish though, because I have a lot of people that I love that aren't Christian and have no intention of becoming Christian. More than one has been turned away because of Christians who have condemned them to eternal damnation. So is the greater "sinner"? The person who was pushed away from Christianity yet lives a good and noble life or the person who drove them away from Christianity with their condemnation?

 

[cardaway]

Amazing how many people "know" God without knowing His Word.

Many seem to have decided that God said, "Ignore my Son, Jesus, and spin the big "pick a faith" wheel" and "as long as you lead a 'good' life, however you choose to define it you'll have eteranal life."

Of course, this is the anti-thesis of Christianity.

Based on your posts I know a lot more about it than you. Not everybody agrees with the way your kind likes to twist things.

And I also add, who the hell asked you?

 

[aquinas]

jaimee1024 made a statement regarding a personal belief about heaven. I would love to see the same thing. To me, it's a wish. I would love to see the diversity in heaven that I see on the earth. I've said numerous times that I'm not God and I can't make a decision for Him about who will be a part of heaven and who won't. I can wish though, because I have a lot of people that I love that aren't Christian and have no intention of becoming Christian. More than one has been turned away because of Christians who have condemned them to eternal damnation. So is the greater "sinner"? The person who was pushed away from Christianity yet lives a good and noble life or the person who drove them away from Christianity with their condemnation?

A person can decide for themselves whether to pursue God or not. No one pushes a person seeking God from attaining salvation. Arent you limiting the power of God now? You say you believe that God is ominpotent but God along with the Holy Spirit does not have the ability to draw sinners to Him? Do you think salvation is 100% man centered? The Holy Spirit conditions people's heart to receive the Gospel according to God's will. If it is God's will for a person to be saved, do you think a mortal man can stop that from happening? I am just confused about your inconsistency now. On one hand you say that if you believe that Jesus is the only way to heaven as the Bible says that it is, then you limit God and put Him in a box by saying that he cant choose who He wants to be in heaven. But on the other hand, you say that people are stopping God from drawing them to Him.

 

[aquinas]

Based on your posts I know a lot more about it that you. Not everybody agrees with the way your kind likes to twist things.

And I also add, who the hell asked you?

No one has to ask Joe, its a public forum and discussion.

 

[Fitswimmer]

A person can decide for themselves whether to pursue God or not. No one pushes a person seeking God from attaining salvation. Arent you limiting the power of God now? You say you believe that God is ominpotent but God along with the Holy Spirit does not have the ability to draw sinners to Him? Do you think salvation is 100% man centered? The Holy Spirit conditions people's heart to receive the Gospel according to God's will. If it is God's will for a person to be saved, do you think a mortal man can stop that from happening? I am just confused about your inconsistency now. On one hand you say that if you believe that Jesus is the only way to heaven as the Bible says that it is, then you limit God and put Him in a box by saying that he cant choose who He wants to be in heaven. But on the other hand, you say that people are stopping God from drawing them to Him.

I know people that won't set foot in a Church, period. Do they believe in God or Jesus? I don't know what is in their mind or heart, but I do know what they've told me about their rejection of organized religion. I believe that a person can drive another person away from religion.

God has given everyone free will, right? So how does that square with God's will being for a person to be saved? If God wills that a person be saved, what happens to that individuals free will? If God has already chosen who will be saved and who won't-what's the point of evangelization then? Evangelization assumes free will and that people choose whether or not to accept the message. If individuals can't affect whether someone chooses to be saved or not, then why bother?

 

[cardaway]

No one has to ask Joe, its a public forum and discussion.

Joe is one of those people who has nothing to say to me unless it's something snarky. As part of that same club, you should know.

 

[aquinas]

I know people that won't set foot in a Church, period. Do they believe in God or Jesus? I don't know what is in their mind or heart, but I do know what they've told me about their rejection of organized religion. I believe that a person can drive another person away from religion.

God has given everyone free will, right? So how does that square with God's will being for a person to be saved? If God wills that a person be saved, what happens to that individuals free will? If God has already chosen who will be saved and who won't-what's the point of evangelization then? Evangelization assumes free will and that people choose whether or not to accept the message. If individuals can't affect whether someone chooses to be saved or not, then why bother?

But God cant call people to Him? So, thats it? If a person supposedly rejects Christianity and blames it on another person or people, end of story? God cant draw that person to Him? Where is His omnipotence? Sovereignity? That person is now doomed to an eternity apart from knowing God? I am sorry but this is not consistant with your previously stated view of God.

Yes, we have free will. But it is a limited free will.

The point of evangelism is that we are commanded to spread the Gospel. The rest is up to God and the Holy Spirit. You can be a Calvinist and a Evangelist. They are not mutually exclusive of one another. Spurgeon was a Calvinist. Jonathan Edwards was as well. Is there a mystery between free will and election. Yes, there is. No doubt about it. But that does not minimize God's part in calling people to salvation.

 

[aquinas]

Joe is one of those people who has nothing to say to me unless it's something snarky. As part of that same club, you should know.

Thank you Mr President. Please let us know when our next club meeting is.

 

[Fitswimmer]

But God cant call people to Him? So, thats it? If a person supposedly rejects Christianity and blames it on another person or people, end of story? God cant draw that person to Him? Where is His omnipotence? Sovereignity? That person is now doomed to an eternity apart from knowing God? I am sorry but this is not consistant with your previously stated view of God.

Yes, we have free will. But it is a limited free will.

The point of evangelism is that we are commanded to spread the Gospel. The rest is up to God and the Holy Spirit. You can be a Calvinist and a Evangelist. They are not mutually exclusive of one another. Spurgeon was a Calvinist. Jonathan Edwards was as well. Is there a mystery between free will and election. Yes, there is. No doubt about it. But that does not minimize God's part in calling people to salvation.

Limited free will? I've never heard of that.

I believe that God is constantly drawing people to him. "Behold I stand at the door and knock" If you read the rest of that verse, the Bible gives the believer the choice to open the door or not. If the actions of a Christian keep that person from wanting to open that door to God's knock, then I have a problem with that.

 

[aquinas]

Limited free will? I've never heard of that.

I believe that God is constantly drawing people to him. "Behold I stand at the door and knock" If you read the rest of that verse, the Bible gives the believer the choice to open the door or not. If the actions of a Christian keep that person from wanting to open that door to God's knock, then I have a problem with that.

Yes, our free will is limited by God.

So, man can stop God? What happened to God's omnipotence and sovereignity? Have you never heard of someone coming to salvation after years of rejecting it and making excuses of why they rejected it? I have. That is all God's doing, not man's.

 

[Fitswimmer]

Yes, our free will is limited by God.

So, man can stop God? What happened to God's omnipotence and sovereignity? Have you never heard of someone coming to salvation after years of rejecting it and making excuses of why they rejected it? I have. That is all God's doing, not man's.

Free will is limited by God, that's a new one on me. Can you give me a reference for that?

I've read the Hound of Heaven too, and it's one of my favorite poems. The individual still chooses to accept the offer from God. God could have created robots that would obey Him without question, but He didn't. Even Jesus had a choice! He was tempted, he prayed to be able to accept God's will, it was a struggle for Him.

Granting us Free will doesn't make God less powerful, it makes God bigger. God doesn't need us, but He wants us. He wants us to come to Him ourselves, by our own choice.

 

[aquinas]

Free will is limited by God, that's a new one on me. Can you give me a reference for that?

I've read the Hound of Heaven too, and it's one of my favorite poems. The individual still chooses to accept the offer from God. God could have created robots that would obey Him without question, but He didn't. Even Jesus had a choice! He was tempted, he prayed to be able to accept God's will, it was a struggle for Him.

Granting us Free will doesn't make God less powerful, it makes God bigger. God doesn't need us, but He wants us. He wants us to come to Him ourselves, by our own choice.

Man's will is limited by our fallen condition before we come to salvation.

But that doesnt answer the question. Can man stand in God's way of calling someone to salvation?

The Holy Spirit conditions the heart to receive and hear the Gospel. Regeneration of the heart occurs and a person accepts salvation. Yes, we had a choice but it was a conditioned choice that appears to us a freely made choice. But would we have said no after the glory of God had been revealed to us?