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Author | Topic: Tell Him Jesus Sent You | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Phat Member Posts: 18351 From: Denver,Colorado USA Joined: Member Rating: 1.0 |
Jon writes: I was wondering what other Christians here thought of that. To me, it seems as though with a belief such as that in place, one may permit one's self to do as much wrong as desired, and later it all be washed clean by those two magic words. One may permit oneself to do anything, but it will take a bit of sincerity behind those magic words. Perhaps Jar is right---we only need say Hi, and hope that the Deity is in a forgiving mood! Edited by Phat, : correcticus spellingicus
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Phat Member Posts: 18351 From: Denver,Colorado USA Joined: Member Rating: 1.0 |
Calypso writes: Thats an issue. IF God appeared in front of you, what would be the reason to ignore Him(Her? :eek I hope you answered him with at least a standard "If you're God then you already know." Or some such. I'd like to hear what your response was. Obviously part of this whole issue is the awareness and influence of Gods presence. IF you were to casually look up and say "Oh! Its you....." then God would not be quite as influential as one would presuppose. The issue is whether Gods presence supercedes our own right to pick and choose our acknowledgement.
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Phat Member Posts: 18351 From: Denver,Colorado USA Joined: Member Rating: 1.0 |
Ringo writes: No, but we are expected to use our free will to make a choice. Wishy washiness and taking a long time to make a decision is indicative of stubbornness...and indicates that we already have made a decision.
So, did God give us free will or did He just lend it to us?Are we expected to give it up when we face Him?
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Phat Member Posts: 18351 From: Denver,Colorado USA Joined: Member Rating: 1.0 |
Jar writes: I suppose so, if one is honest. Some folks will feel more comfortable saying "I don't know..." forever, however....and I suppose that God (IF God exists) would surely understand the honesty of reservation. Could it also be a sign of lack of evidence? Or conflicting evidence? Or a complicated or important decision that requires due consideration? Or tentatively knowing that future evidence might lead to reevaluation? The counter accusation touted by the infamous Cult Of Ignorance™ is that humans, being unwilling and incapable of accepting God by nature...will continue not to accept God if left alone.
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Phat Member Posts: 18351 From: Denver,Colorado USA Joined: Member Rating: 1.0 |
Jar writes: I'm a Jabberwockian specialist!
More jabberwocky. Jar writes: No particular reason, although I also would ask why anyone should reject God for any reason whatsoever. Absence of Evidence does not equate to evidence of absence. And just why should anyone "accept God?" I used to be an evangelical that believed that it was our collective responsibility (being the enlightened ones, of course) to educate the poor unenlightened masses who were blinded by deception. NOW, of course, I believe that God draws people unto Himself...thus the only thing I am expected to do is live my best and do what I know is right.
Jar writes: Its not about business. We are rehashing an old conversation here...played out a thousand similar ways by thousands of people.
What possible business is it of anybody whether someone other than themselves has "accepted God" (what ever that means)?
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Phat Member Posts: 18351 From: Denver,Colorado USA Joined: Member Rating: 1.0 |
Ringo writes: True. Choosing the right Deity could be viewed as important by some and irrelevant by others, since the proper Deity would be in control by default...regardless of our decisions to accept or reject the concept.
Don't confuse taking a long time to make a decision with "wishy washiness". Important decisions should not be made hastily and plans should be as flexible as possible. Ringo writes: Nothing if you are honest with yourself. If you feel an inner unction, however, you would be wise to not dismiss it as an overactive stomach. I can't really speak for anyone other than myself...but when I get an inner unction, I follow it just to be safe.
What's wrong with deciding not to decide? Ringo writes: Well....if I can hypothesize the emotions and feelings of God in any way, I would say that God expects us to be honest, open, and willing to embrace Him (Her?) in whatever way that we understand God. I guess that if I were the only guy on the planet that believed in God as I understood Him, I would not be responsible for being His saleman. Being overly decisive takes the fun out of life. Do you think that's what God wants from us? (That is a change from how I used to think! )
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Phat Member Posts: 18351 From: Denver,Colorado USA Joined: Member Rating: 1.0 |
This is where many of us differ and part company beliefwise.
Personally, I believe that God desires that we make an attempt to acknowledge that we ourselves individually and collectively do not know everything nor will we ever and that it is ok to be humble and in awe. This is an individual thing, however...and not something to be taught and/or forced on others.
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Phat Member Posts: 18351 From: Denver,Colorado USA Joined: Member Rating: 1.0 |
I guess I would say... err...Shalmom, Al?
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Phat Member Posts: 18351 From: Denver,Colorado USA Joined: Member Rating: 1.0 |
I was saved. One day it just hit me like an epiphany. I cant explain it...but I also believe that God gave me a brain...so i question much of the evangelical reality that I used to embrace. While I could say that I am one of the peculiar people, I don't see myself as exclusive as I used to.
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Phat Member Posts: 18351 From: Denver,Colorado USA Joined: Member Rating: 1.0 |
Nator writes: Yes, as long as we feel in control in that we can define it, measure it, and define it. When the idea of a God who is neither able to be controlled, defined, measured or manipulated comes up, however, many people do not feel comfortable with such an idea. The idea that we owe allegiance or at least respect to such a Being rubs many people the wrong way.
On the contrary, all of humanity is extremely willing and capable, by nature, of accepting the supernatural.
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Phat Member Posts: 18351 From: Denver,Colorado USA Joined: Member Rating: 1.0 |
Before Copernicus, everyone thought that the cosmos spun around us. Before Christ, we as humans usually view ourselves as the center of attention. Its hard to accept that the best laid plans of mice and men are dependent upon an active Deity. (I'm not a Deist)
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Phat Member Posts: 18351 From: Denver,Colorado USA Joined: Member Rating: 1.0 |
RiverRat writes:
People say that in a room full of people, who are Spirit filled, you too can feel it. But there are some who don't feel a thing (I was one of them).Phat writes: I don't necessarily think that anyone can usually tell...but there have been times when the wisdom emanating from someone was unmistakably not theirs alone. I guess I am confusing too many thoughts here, and I don't have the time to write them out today, but do you think we should preach the gospel? (not asking how). Or is it a waste of time? Do we even need the bible? Because the bible seems to be a big point of confusion. Not that the bible itself is confusing, but the people interpreting it are confused about it. Bottom line, for me...is personal integrity and consistency. If I find that I truly want to make a relationship with someone rather than sell a product, I have better relationships form that are more long lasting.
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Phat Member Posts: 18351 From: Denver,Colorado USA Joined: Member Rating: 1.0 |
Nator writes: So you are saying that Man creates God in his own image? The very idea that we owe any proposed god respect or allegiance is nothing more than religious dogma, invented and used to control the followers of that religion. What makes you so convinced that God exists and is like a patient though firm teacher, expecting you to come out of your comfort zones and open up to, if not embrace, an unmeasurable unverifiable faith concept?
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Phat Member Posts: 18351 From: Denver,Colorado USA Joined: Member Rating: 1.0 |
Jonicus writes: Why are these the only two options? You basically have concluded that since God does not rule with an iron phist He is thus inferior to Satan...whom you say you prefer (ludicrous, I might add) or that God is uncaring. You have left out the option that God cares and is quite capable of being God with or without your approval...
Either He truly does not care--in which case I feel no obligation to care in return--, or He simply is unable to keep it all together--in which case, I'd rather side with Satan, who clearly has the situation under control.
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Phat Member Posts: 18351 From: Denver,Colorado USA Joined: Member Rating: 1.0 |
God has the ability to be in control of everything, I would assume...yet he clearly is not. I would say that every move I make is done either in communion with Him or in communion with the other spirits. Its up to me which gang I choose to run with...NO?
Edited by Phat, : finished the incomplete sentence that I previously had left dangling.
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